Ontario's independent provincial energy regulator that administers consumer financial assistance programs including the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) providing emergency grants up to $650 for electricity and natural gas bills, and the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) providing ongoing monthly credits on electricity bills. The OEB regulates electricity and natural gas utilities, sets delivery rates, and protects consumer interests. View Ontario Energy Board (OEB)'s website for more information.
As Ontario's independent energy regulator, the OEB plays a dual role in both regulating the energy sector and administering consumer financial assistance programs. While primarily a regulatory body, the OEB distributes funding directly to eligible low-income households through two main programs: the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).
The OEB administers grant programs targeting low-income Ontario residents who struggle with energy costs. LEAP provides emergency financial assistance to prevent service disconnection, while OESP offers ongoing monthly credits applied directly to electricity bills. These programs are funded through the regulatory framework and overseen by the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Both programs use household income and size as primary eligibility factors. LEAP emergency grants are available to those facing disconnection and can provide up to $650 for electricity ($780 for electrically heated homes) and $650 for natural gas. OESP credits range from $35 to $113 monthly based on income levels and household composition, with enhanced amounts for Indigenous customers, those using electric heating, or those with medical devices.
The OEB operates under the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 and the Electricity Act, 1998. The organization is accountable to the public through transparent regulatory processes, annual reports, and stakeholder engagement. While the OEB administers these programs, financial and program oversight comes from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.