Searching for Utility Assistance Programs

• 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).

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• food
• rent assistance
• ER medical and dental
• financial help
• budgeting
• furniture
• clothing
• children's summer camp
• spiritual help

• 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.

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

• food security (e.g. grocery gift card, baby food, etc.);
• transportation (e.g. gas gift card, taxi voucher, bus ticket, medical transportation, etc.);
• basic needs (e.g. clothing, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene supplies, footwear, etc.) including delivery of items;
• employment readiness (e.g. professional clothing, professional development opportunities, workshops, training certificate, etc.);
• social integration (e.g. access to a cellphone or phone cards, computer rentals, etc.);
• health and wellness (e.g. medication, emergency dental, eyeglasses, etc.);
• housing start-up costs (e.g. furniture, kitchen supplies, bedding, mattress, etc.);
• child care;
• family supports (e.g. parenting courses, educational resources and supplies for children/youth);
• personal Identification (e.g. birth certificate, health card, SIN, driver's license);
• student assistance for elementary and high school students (books, supplies, registration / application fees); and/or,
• mental health supports;
• income tax filing costs;
• utilities

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

• dental care for adults
• vision care for adults
• prosthetic appliances
• funerals and burials
• heating payments and payments for low-cost heating energy conservation measures

• 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

• 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