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What we found for Ontario heating help
Each card names the official page we read on October 21, 2026. Dollar amounts are the government's own; anything it does not publish, we do not show.
OESP monthly credit
A monthly credit applied right on your electricity bill. The amount depends on how many people live in the home and your combined after-tax household income. Higher credits of $52 to $113 a month apply to some households.
Energy Affordability Program
Free upgrades such as insulation, draft proofing, thermostats and, for oil-heated homes, cold-climate heat pumps, for income-qualified households.
Canada’s new heat pump rebate is worth up to $10,000. Get an email the day it opens
Planning a heat pump too? This one is on top of the rebates above, and we’ll email you the day it opens.
- Up to $10,000
- if your household earns below the median income
- $2,000
- for other homeowners who qualify
Stack it with the Ontario rebate open today
Ottawa says you can combine them. Each program has its own rules. Amounts are the most you can get.
Applications open early 2027
Join the launch alert
- Launch-day email, with what to do first
- Who qualifies for the $10,000, once Ottawa says
- A short hello now, so you know it worked
Know someone with old heating? Send them this.
Only emails about this rebate. No spam, no sales calls. Unsubscribe anytime.
Read everything we know so far Official page: canada.ca
What OESP does
OESP lowers the cost of your household electricity by applying a credit each month directly to your bill. You must be a customer of an electricity utility, and your household size and income must meet the program levels. The credit is bigger for some households, so ask when you apply.
What changed in 2024
Effective March 1, 2024 the Ontario government changed the household income amounts needed to qualify, which made more households eligible. Existing recipients may be eligible for higher credits and are asked to reapply. If you tried OESP before and were turned down, try again.
Check your size and income
Find your row by your yearly household income after tax, then your column by the number of people in the home. If your box is blank, you are not eligible at that income and size, but the limits rose in 2024, so it is worth checking again.
How to apply
Use the new application or renewal link on ontarioelectricitysupport.ca. You can also contact an intake agency near you for help. Indigenous households can get support by phone or at oesp@ishkoday.ca. The OESP contact centre is 1-855-831-8151, and the email is help@ontarioelectricitysupport.ca.
Free upgrades
The Energy Affordability Program is run through Save on Energy. The comprehensive support path covers households with income up to $48,220 for one person, $68,193 for two, $83,518 for three, $96,439 for four and $107,823 for five or more. People already on programs such as OESP, ODSP or Ontario Works can also qualify. Call 1-844-770-3148.
The monthly credit table
Here are the credit amounts from the program's credit table.
| Household income | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,000 or less | $45 | $45 | $51 | $57 | $63 | $75 | $75 |
| $38,001 to $54,000 | $40 | $45 | $51 | $57 | $63 | $75 | |
| $54,001 to $65,000 | $35 | $40 | $45 | $51 | $57 | ||
| $65,001 to $71,000 | $35 | $40 | $45 |
A blank box means that household size is not eligible at that income. Some households get a higher credit of $52 to $113 a month: Indigenous customers or people living with Indigenous family members, customers who heat with electricity, and customers who use certain electricity-intensive medical devices.
Pair them
OESP lowers each bill now. Free upgrades lower the bills that follow. If you heat with oil, ask about a cold-climate heat pump under the Energy Affordability Program.
Renters and landlords
OESP is tied to the electricity account, so tenants whose power is billed to them can apply. If your electricity is included in your rent, ask your landlord and the program whether another path exists. We did not read a rule on this, so we do not say.
Before you call
Have your latest hydro bill, your account number and your household income to hand. Write down how many people live in your home. Those three items decide most of what the contact centre will ask you.
Why two programs
OESP works on the bill, while the Energy Affordability Program works on the house. A tight, warm home needs less power, and a credit on a smaller bill goes further. Households that use both are usually better off than households that use one.
Scams
Neither program charges a fee to apply. If a caller asks for money, a gift card or your bank login to give you a credit, hang up and call the number printed on your hydro bill.
What to do in Ontario this winter
- Go to ontarioelectricitysupport.ca and start a new or renewal application.
- Gather your latest hydro bill and proof of income.
- Call 1-855-831-8151 if you want help.
- Check the Energy Affordability Program at the same time.
- Look at Ontario rebates for lasting savings.
More for Ontario homes
- Ontario home rebates: every program in one place
- Ontario heat pump rebates: the provincial and federal offers
- Ontario home EV charger rebates: bigger projects
- Heating bill help in every state and province: all programs, dates and amounts
Common questions
What is OESP in Ontario?
The Ontario Electricity Support Program applies a monthly credit directly to the electricity bills of eligible lower-income households.
Did OESP change in 2024?
Yes. Effective March 1, 2024 the household income amounts needed to qualify changed, so more households are eligible. Existing recipients may be eligible for a higher credit if they reapply.
How do I apply for OESP?
Online at ontarioelectricitysupport.ca, with an intake agency, or by calling 1-855-831-8151.
Is there a free upgrade program too?
Yes. The Energy Affordability Program through Save on Energy gives free upgrades to income-qualified households.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 22, 2026: Ontario Electricity Support Program, Save on Energy: Energy Affordability Program, 211 Canada: find local help.