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Located near Windsor
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TEMPORARY PROGRAM CHANGES FOR 2022
- Effective January 10, 2022 - To support Ontarians through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the OEB is once again temporarily increasing the flexibility of LEAP:
- LEAP applicants no longer need to be in threat of disconnection or have been disconnected, but they still need to be in arrears and at or below the income thresholds
- The limitation on receiving LEAP only once per year is waived, but the total amount received by a household may not exceed the maximum grant amount for the year
- In addition, the maximum value of grant amounts this year is increased to $1,000 ($1,200 for customers with electrically-heated homes).
Regular Services:
- one-time emergency financial assistance per calendar year to eligible households
- program runs throughout the year subject to available funds
- maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year ($600 for electrically heated homes)
- grant is credited directly toward electricity bill
- agency may be able to arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while the application is reviewed
- all decisions may be appealed
- services and maintenans Windsor's power line infrastructure
- operates and manages the production and distribution of water to the City of Windsor
- supplies water to the towns of Tecumseh and LaSalle
- provides heating and cooling to buildings in the downtown core of the City of Windsor through its District Energy business unit.
Application sites:
* Unemployed Help Centre, 6955 Cantelon Dr, 519-944-4900
* Housing Information Services Windsor and Essex County, 3450 Ypres, Ste 200, 519-254-4824
- Effective January 10, 2022 - To support Ontarians through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the OEB is once again temporarily increasing the flexibility of LEAP:
- LEAP applicants no longer need to be in threat of disconnection or have been disconnected, but they still need to be in arrears and at or below the income thresholds
- The limitation on receiving LEAP only once per year is waived, but the total amount received by a household may not exceed the maximum grant amount for the year
Access centre to apply for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program):
one-time emergency financial assistance per calendar year
- program runs year round
- maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year ($600 for electrically heated homes)
- grant is credited directly toward energy bill
- agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while application is being reviewed
- all decisions can be appealed
- a one-time per year payment of up to $500 to help offset hydro costs
- grant is credited directly toward bill
Assistance may include:
- food vouchers, diapers, clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc.
- help with rent, hydro
- help with dentures, eyeglasses and transportation
- spiritual and emotional support
- Advocacy for help within our community
- Mentoring program is part of the Ministry.
- Accepts and moves furniture items every Wednesday
- Bureaucracy assistance (i.e. help with bankruptcies, evictions, registrations, bill payments, appointments, etc.)
- operates primarily on Monday
- includes items such as couches and mattresses (call for details)
- will pick up donations or deliver to those in need (Windsor, Tecumseh and St. Clair Beach only)
- leave detailed message at 226-350-1863
For Monetary Donations Click Here to download the Donation Form
- one-time emergency financial assistance
- program runs throughout the year
- maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year ($600 for electrically heated homes)
- grant is credited directly toward energy bill
- agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed
- all decisions can be appealed
- Effective January 10, 2022 - To support Ontarians through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the OEB is once again temporarily increasing the flexibility of LEAP:
- LEAP applicants no longer need to be in threat of disconnection or have been disconnected, but they still need to be in arrears and at or below the income thresholds
- The limitation on receiving LEAP only once per year is waived, but the total amount received by a household may not exceed the maximum grant amount for the year
Access centre to apply for LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program):
one-time emergency financial assistance per calendar year
- program runs year round
- maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year ($600 for electrically heated homes)
- grant is credited directly toward energy bill
- agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while application is being reviewed
- all decisions can be appealed
- a one-time per year payment of up to $500 to help offset hydro costs
- grant is credited directly toward bill
- one-time emergency financial assistance
- program runs throughout the year
- grant is credited directly toward energy bill
- agency can arrange a 21-day hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being assessed
- all decisions can be appealed
- Help to keep or current housing or help to find new housing
- Rental deposits to secure accommodation
- Payments towards rental/mortgage/tax arrears to maintain or retain accommodation
- Payments towards utility arrears and/or reconnection fees to maintain service connections
- Under exceptional circumstances other costs may be considered if it will assist with obtaining and/or retaining housing.
- Assists clients with: homelessness
- eviction notices
- landlord/tenant mediatio
- landlord registry
- rental listings
- information on tenant rights
- advocacy
- transportation to emergency shelters
- utility assistance
Operation Cover Up: provide gently used winter coats to families in need.
Housing support program: Provides assistance in matters relating to housing (rental lists, landlord/tenant issues). Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) applications for hydro and gas. Emergency assistance for utility and rental arrears.
Christmas Assistance: Provides families with food hampers and toys (for children up to age 12). Application required with identification, proof of income and expenses.
Shower Facilities: Available for homeless individuals.
OESP (Ontario Energy Support Program) upon approved application, can receive a monthly credit to your hydro bill for a 2 year period.
LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) one-time emergency financial assistance * program runs throughout the year * maximum grant is $500 per fuel per household per year * grant is credited directly toward electricity bill * agency may be able to arrange a hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being reviewed * all decisions can be appealed
Provides temporary assistance to individuals or families in need by way of
- food
- rent assistance
- ER medical and dental
- financial help
- budgeting
- furniture
- clothing
- appliances
- children's summer camp
- spiritual help
Irish Miracle Food Drive - Dec 3, St Pat's students will be collecting door to door.
People living outside Sarnia must contact their nearest Catholic Church or St. Vincent de Paul store in their community to request assistance.
Community and Family Services provides emergency assistance such as food and clothing vouchers.
Also assist with:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Medical financial assistance (including hearing aids)
- Dental financial assistance
- Coats for everyone
- Christmas Hampers (Sarnia Residents only)
- Assist those in the community who are in need or in crisis situations.
- Food assistance is given once a month unless extenuating circumstances exist.
- Offer Christmas assistance by providing families with food hampers and toys (for children up to age 12). Application required with identification, proof of income and expenses.
Program runs throughout the year * one time grant is credited directly toward electricity bill * agency may be able to arrange a hold on a disconnection notice while a case is being reviewed * all decisions can be appealed
Administers housing assistance programs, including assistance with utility costs
Programs include:
Housing Links for People (HeLP) Program - assistance with rental arrears, utility arrears, temporary housing, assistance with moving costs, emergency assistance with daily living costs and other forms of assistance to prevent homelessness
Housing Allowance Program - subsidies to tenants with private landlords to reduce tenant rent to affordable levels
Home Repair Program - financial assistance to low-income homeowners facing necessary repairs
Affordable Homeownership Program - financial assistance with down payment for first time home buyers
Low Income Energy Assistance Program - assistance with hydro arrears in St Thomas
Union Gas Emergency Assistance Program - Interest-free loan/grant program * people may be eligible if utilities, including gas, water or electricity, are going to be disconnected or already have been disconnected
Program runs throughout the year until funding has been depleted * maximum grant is $500 per household per year * grant is credited directly toward electricity company.
Assistance with applying to OESP (Ontario Electricity Support Program) is also offered at this location.
Thrift Store: 519-631-3206
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Coats for Kids - Free winter coats for those in need * all ages * call for an appointment
Community and Family Services - Emergency assistance provided in the form of clothing, food, small household items, LEAP and counselling
Grocery Store Gift Card - May be provided once every 4 months * people in need must make an appointment at 105 Edward St, Unit 3 to receive any assistance * bring proof of household income, identification of all household members, 30 day bank statement(s) for all members of household who have an income and monthly bills
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) - Monthly credit to help cover electricity bills, based on household income and the number of people living in the home * other levels of assistance may be available for Indigenous households, homes with medical equipment that have high-energy needs and homes heated through electricity * call 519-633-4509 for an appointment or visit OntarioElectricitySupport.ca to apply online
Thrift Store - Low cost used clothing and household items * Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-3pm
LEAP Emergency Financial Assistance - Access centre to apply for LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) one-time emergency financial assistance for Epcor and Erth Power customers
Visit Website
Financial assistance available to eligible people and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless * assistance with hydro and rent arrears
Program sponsored by the Government of Ontario and administered by the County of Middlesex to address local priorities * people on Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), as well as low-income residents of Middlesex County may be eligible
Health-related:
- dental care for adults
- vision care for adults
- prosthetic appliances
- funerals and burials
- heating payments and payments for low-cost heating energy conservation measures
Non-health-related:
- vocational training and retraining
- travel and transportation that is not for health-related purposes
- moving expenses
- any other special service, item or payment authorized by the Director
519-964-3663 ext 300
Visit Website
Housing Stability Bank includes:
Rental Assistance Program - Interest-free loans to assist with rental arrears, first month's rent (ODSP recipients only) and/or last month's rent
Emergency Utility Assistance - Grants (until grant funds are exhausted annually) or interest-free loans to assist with utility arrears (gas, electricity or water)
- Effective Jan 1, 2017, to obtain an Emergency Utility Assistance Gas Arrears Grant through the Housing Stability Bank, applicants must first complete intake process conducted by the United Way of Greater Simcoe * final applications will be processed by the Housing Stability Bank
- To determine eligibility and complete intake application, call the United Way of Greater Simcoe toll free at 1-855-487-5327
- Once eligibility is determined, the Housing Stability Bank will contact eligible applicants to set up an appointment to begin processing their application at a Housing Stability Bank location
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) - Ongoing assistance applied directly as credit on the bills of eligible low-income electricity consumers/households * credit amount based on the number of people living in the home and total household income * consumers may apply online (OntarioElectricitySupport.ca), or with the assistance of Housing Stability Bank locations * contact the Housing Stability Bank for more information
MONEY COACH Services - One-to-one coaching regarding financial matters * includes budgeting, banking, direct deposits, credit and debt management, benefit entitlement, completing applications * call 519-964-3663 ext 340 or 341 to make an appointment