The Government of Ontario is providing funding to support registered small business customers and registered charities, struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of COVID-19.  Eligibility criteria has been updated so that more customers may qualify for CEAP! 

New! COVID-19 Business Support Grants Available for Cambridge-North Dumfries (Red-Control)

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible small business or registered charities to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.

Eligible small business and registered customers can apply. More information available at Ontario Energy Board website.

There is no deadline to apply but CEAP-SB funding is limited and applying does not guarantee that Energy+ has CEAP-SB funding remaining. Applications are processed in the order they are received by Energy+. 

Note: Customers who previously applied but were denied will have their original application reviewed by Energy+ and will be contacted directly if they meet the new eligibility criteria.

 Who is eligible?

(Updated September 30, 2020 by the Ontario Energy Board)

You are eligible for this program if you meet ALL of the following criteria, as of the date you are applying:

  1. Your small business or registered charity has an active Energy+ account. You will be required to provide your registered business number or charitable registration number.
  2. Your small business or registered charity is classified as a general service <50kW customer.
  3. Your small business or registered charity did not have any overdue amounts on its electricity bill on March 17, 2020, OR made at least a partial payments on amounts overdue prior to March 17, 2020 (including accounts subject to an arrears payment agreement).
  4. Your small business or registered charity has any overdue amounts owing from at least two (2) electricity bills since March 17, 2020.
  5. The account holder has confirmed that it is NOT applying for a CEAP-SB credit for another location, or electricity account anywhere in the Province of Ontario for the same small business or registered charity.
  6. Your small business or registered charity was required to *close its premises to members of the public for regular operations for at least fifteen (15) days, as a result of a government order or an inability to adapt your business or charity to comply with public health recommendations.

*"Close" means that the small business or registered charity was unable to maintain regular operations, as a result of government order or health recommendations, that required them to either fully close operations, limit access to their premises or limit the services provided or available to the public. 
 What benefit amounts are available?
Electricity customers may qualify for a one-time CEAP-SB credit for electricity charges that are overdue

on the date of their application for CEAP-SB, up to a maximum of $425.

The CEAP-SB credit can be higher for eligible electricity customers if their small business or registered charity is mainly heated by electricity. In that case, customers may qualify for a one-time CEAP-SB credit for the electricity charges that are overdue on the date of their application, up to a maximum of $850.

The amount of the credit cannot exceed the amount owing on account of electricity charges on the date of the customer’s application for CEAP-SB.
 How do I apply?
 Beginning August 31, 2020, you can apply for CEAP-SB - here's how:
  • Gather a copy of your Energy+ electricity bill. It is important to enter the account information exactly as it appears on your bill.
  • Complete the online Energy+ CEAP-SB application form, provide your consent and e-sign the online form. As soon as you click the Submit button at the end of the online form, Energy+ will receive and acknowledge your CEAP-SB application. 
  • If you prefer, you can complete, print and mail the form to Energy+ (use this fillable .PDF version) which can be printed and mailed in.
  • An Energy+ Customer Care representative will review your CEAP-SB application within 24-48 business hours of receiving the completed form, and notify you if you are eligible for CEAP-SB.
  • If approved, a one-time credit amount will appear on your next bill or the following one, depending on the billing cycle.

CEAP-SM is a one time energy support program for small businesses and charities