Payment Assistance

The following programs are available to help low-income customers or those facing a financial emergency pay their energy bills.

Ontario Electricity Support Program

The Ontario Electricity Support Program lowers electricity bills for low-income households by providing a monthly on-bill credit. To find out if you quality and how to apply:

Visit: Ontario Electricity Support Program
Call: 1-855-831-8151

IMPORTANT: When completing the application, under “Utility Account Information”, select “GUELPH HYDRO ELECTRIC SYSTEMS INC.” as the Utility Provider and reference your 18-digit Utility Account Number found on your monthly statement.

Renewing Your Application for the Ontario Electricity Support Program

If you are approaching the end of your eligibility period for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), you will receive a letter from Guelph Hydro / Alectra Utilities with renewal instructions. 

Important

If you do not renew your application, your monthly credit will end and will no longer be applied to your bill. The renewal process can take up to 4-6 weeks so it is important to start the renewal process to ensure there is no gap in your OESP assistance.

When completing the application, under “Utility Account Information”, select “GUELPH HYDRO ELECTRIC SYSTEMS INC.” as the Utility Provider and reference your 18-digit Utility Account Number found on your monthly statement.

Three Ways to Renew Your Application

  1. Visit www.ontarioelectricitysupport.ca and click on renew application.
  2. Complete a paper application and consent form and mail it to: Ontario Electricity Support Program, PO Box 1540, STN B, Ottawa, ON, K1P 0C7
  3. Visit an intake agency to help you apply. Intake agencies can manually verify your household's income if everyone aged 18 and older in the household has not filed taxes at least once in the last 2 years, or if your circumstances have changed since you last filed.

Find the intake agency nearest you by visiting www.ontarioelectricitysupport.ca.

You may also contact the OESP Contact Centre at 1-855-831-8151, 211 Ontario or your local utility for more information.

Documents Required for Renewal

  • Social insurance numbers for all household members 18 and older
  • Your current Guelph Hydro bill, which contains the following information:
    • Utility Account Number
    • Utility Account Holder's Full Name(s)
    • Utility Account Holder's Service Address

Questions?

Contact the OESP Contact Centre by:

 

The OESP Contact Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.

Low Income Assistance Program (LEAP)

The Low-Income Assistance Program provides emergency financial assistance to help pay overdue electricity bills for eligible residential customers. For more information, contact our Credit and Collections Department at 519-822-1750/option 5.

Overdue / Arrears Payment Plan

As a final step before disconnection, our Credit and Collections staff can work with you to design a custom payment arrangement that takes into consideration your personal circumstances. Customers who agree to an Arrears Payment Plan and follow the arrangement will not be disconnected.

  • Call the Credit and Collections Department at 519-822-1750/option 5 to discuss payment options
  • Visit the Ontario Energy Board website for more information about Arrears Payment Plans.

Ontario Electricity Rebate

  • Effective November 1, 2019, the Government of Ontario introduced the new Ontario Electricity Rebate under the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016. The Ontario Electricity Rebate provides eligible customers with a 31.8% rebate on their electricity bill.
  • Effective November 1, 2020, the Ontario Electricity Rebate provides eligible customers with a 33.2% rebate on their electricity bill.
  • Effective January 1, 2021, the Ontario Electricity Rebate provides eligible customers with a 21.2% rebate on their electricity bill.
  • Effective May 1, 2021, the Ontario Electricity Rebate provides eligible customers with an 18.9% rebate on their electricity bill.
  • Effective November 1, 2021, the Ontario Electricity Rebate provides eligible customers with a 17.0% rebate on their electricity bill.
  • Effective November 1, 2022, the Ontario Electricity Rebate provides eligible customers with an 11.7% rebate on their electricity bill.

The Ontario Electricity Rebate replaces the previous 8% Provincial Rebate and Fair Hydro Plan.

Please note that the Ontario Electricity Rebate has different eligibility requirements than the former 8% Provincial Rebate. This means that even if you were previously eligible, you may be required to re-declare eligibility to continue receiving financial assistance.

To apply for the rebate, complete and submit the Ontario Electricity Rebate Self-declaration Form.