It’s a temporary program that provides one-time, on-bill credits to small businesses and charitable organizations who have experienced hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small businesses and charitable organizations must meet certain eligibility criteria to qualify for this program and submit an application form.

Each small business will be eligible for funding equal to the amount necessary to settle the outstanding balance or the following maximum benefits, whichever is less.

As long as you made at least a partial payment in respect to your electricity charges prior to March 17, 2020, you’re eligible for support. This includes accounts subject to an arrears payment agreement.

These businesses qualify for less support than electricity-heated small businesses because they could also qualify for natural gas support through their natural gas utility.

To support as many businesses as possible, if your small business has multiple locations or storefronts you’re only allowed to apply once

However, if you have separate businesses (such as proprietorship, partnership or registered corporation) you may apply for each business or separate charitable organization

At some point, you may need to provide proof that your business was closed for audit purposes.

Information could include:

Personal services (e.g. hair salon, chiropractor) that had to fully close.

A restaurant or coffee shop that had to close regular dining operations and provided only takeaway or delivery service.

A small fashion retailer or pet store whose property was closed to the public but was able to provide contactless curbside pick for customers.

A non-publicly funded registered charity whose property was closed to the public but was able to adapt to provide limited services remotely.

The following business are ineligible for support:

Your business may be eligible for our Pandemic Relief Program that provides financial assistance and increased payment flexibility to customers affected by COVID-19. Learn more here.

We’ll notify you by email or mail if your application is approved as well as the amount of the one-time credit that will be applied to your bill.

For businesses whose applications aren’t approved, we’ll notify you by email or mail with the reason why your application wasn’t accepted.

We’ll process all applications on a first-come, first-served basis.

All applications will be processed within 10 business days of receipt.

If your application is approved, a one-time credit amount will appear on your next bill or the following one, depending on where you’re in the billing cycle.

The credit will appear as a “Miscellaneous Adjustment” on page two of your bill.

We’ve received $1.16 million in funding from the Government of Ontario.