City of Toronto

Back to Policy Contents Updated November 2012

Utilities

Legislation

This section is an excerpt from the Ontario Works Act, 1997 prescribed by the Province of Ontario.

Ontario Works Regulations

Shelter

42. (1)

In this section,
"shelter" means the cost for a dwelling place used as a principal residence with respect to any of the following:

8.
The following utilities, if they are not included in rent or common expenses:
i.
An energy source used for household purposes other than for heat.
ii.
Water and sewage.
iii.
Rental of a furnace and a hot water heater.
10.
The cost of energy for heat.
(2)
The following rules apply for calculating the cost of shelter:
1.
Subject to section 45, determine the actual cost payable for shelter under subsection (1).
2.
Determine the maximum amount payable for shelter in accordance with the following Table:
Benefit Unit Size Maximum Monthly
Shelter Allowance
1 $376
2 $590
3 $641
4 $695
5 $750
6 or more  $777
3.
Subject to paragraph 4, the amount payable for shelter shall be the lesser of the amount determined under paragraph 1 and the maximum amount determined under paragraph 2.
4.
If the cost of energy for heat exceeds the maximum amount payable for shelter under paragraph 2, the cost payable for shelter shall be the cost of energy for heat.

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Shelter Allowance is calculated based on total shelter costs (rent/mortgage, property taxes, fire insurance, fuel and utilities) up to maximum by family size.

Utilities are payments for the cost of electricity, gas or any other energy source used for normal household purposes (e.g. lighting, cooking, hot water) except for the cost of heating the dwelling, and water/sewage charges.

Costs of utilities also includes rental costs associated with a furnace and a hot water heater.

Utility costs do not include:

Actual utility costs may be considered in the calculation of Shelter Allowance up to the maximum allowable limit.

If shelter costs exceed the maximum Shelter Allowance, the person will not receive utility cost.

If shelter costs are below the maximum Shelter Allowance, the person may be entitled to the actual utility costs up to the maximum allowable shelter amount.

Procedure

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