The government of Ontario has committed nine million dollars towards a payment assistance plan intended to aid Ontario residents that may be struggling to pay energy bills during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Plan (CEAP) is offered through electricity distributors, gas distributors, and unit sub-meter providers.
West Niagara utilities like Grimsby Power, NPEI, Enbridge Gas, and Hydro One all have set up application processes for their customers.
Eligible applicants can receive a one-time credit on their bills. This is designed help them catch up and resume regular payments.
CEAP for electricity customers
For electricity customers, the credit can cover up to half of the electrical charges that are overdue on the date of the application, to a maximum of $115. Some customers may be eligible for a larger credit of up to $230 if their home is heated mainly by electricity or they use energy-intensive medical devices. These include kidney dialysis machines, mechanical ventilators, or oxygen concentrators.
CEAP for natural gas customers
For gas customers, the credit amount depends on where you live in Canada. In Northern Ontario, the credit can cover up to half of the natural gas charges that are overdue on the date of application, to a maximum of $160. In other parts of the province, such as Western Niagara communities, the credit covers a maximum of $80.
CEAP eligibility requirements
Customers must meet all the criteria below to be eligible for CEAP:
- Have an account with an electrical distributor, natural gas distributor, or USMP.
- The account holder must submit the application.
- Ensure their account was in good standing on March 17, 2020. The customer was not enrolled in arrears payment agreements for amounts owing before March 17, 2020.
- Have not made complete payments on at least two electrical and/or gas bills issued since March 17, 2020 and have an overdue balance at the time of application.
- Have not received financial assistance for their electrical bills or natural gas bills under the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).
- The customer has not received funding for their electrical bills under the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) in 2020.
- The customer or customer’s spouse or common-law partner that resides in the residence:
- Is unemployed at the date of the application.
- Has received EI or CERB since March 17, 2020.
Full list of Eligibility requirements is on the Ontario Energy Board website:
How to Apply for CEAP
You can apply through your utility or USMP directly. This can be done by email, mail, online, or by phone.
Utilities and USMPs are required to process applications as they are received and within 10 days of receipt and funding is not guaranteed.
Where to apply in the West Niagara area
Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc.
Fill in the online application form (PDF here) and submit it through the website or download and print the application form and email it to: [email protected]. The application can also be completed over the phone (call 905-356-2681) or it can also be sent through mail.
Grimsby Power
Complete the online application form here. You can also contact Grimsby Power at 905-945-5437.
Print and fill out the application – in PDF format here. Email it to [email protected]. You can also mail it to: Grimsby Power, 231 Roberts Road, Grimsby, ON, L3M 5N2. You can also drop it off at the office drop box.
Hydro One
Apply online – click here. Or email or send the form (download PDF here) by mail.
Enbridge Gas:
Apply on its website: https://www.enbridgegas.com/ceap