November 2006

Emergency Energy Fund

Background

The Ministry of Community and Social Services has provided funding, known as the Emergency Energy Fund (EEF), to municipalities to provide help to low-income Ontarians, facing energy-related emergencies.

Employment and Social Services administers EEF for residents of the City of Toronto who are not in receipt of social assistance. Eligibility for assistance is means-tested with available income and assets being considered.

Target Group

Low income residents of Toronto who are not in receipt of social assistance.
Have received a disconnection notice or have already been disconnected and do not have sufficient income and/or assets to pay the arrears.

Application Process

Residents who are not in receipt of social assistance should call 416-338-3332 where an initial eligibility assessment is done. Persons who are potentially eligible for EEF assistance with energy arrears will be sent to one of five verification locations across the city.

The following chart details programs available for low-income residents who are not in receipt of social assistance and what benefits are available for residents who are in receipt of social assistance.

Type Of Arrears	Persons Not in Receipt of Social Assistance	Persons in Receipt of Social Assistance * Ontario Works (OW) * Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Rental Arrears	There is the Rent Bank program: for general inquiries, call 2-1-1 OR Neighbourhood Information Post 416-924-2543	Ontario Works (OW) participants should contact their OW caseworkers. Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) participants should contact their ODSP caseworkers.
Gas Arrears and Hydro Arrears with/without a disconnection notice	There is the Winter Warmth Fund, sponsored by Enbridge Gas Distribution and Toronto Hydro: for general inquiries, call 2-1-1 OR Winter Warmth Fund (Neighbourhood Information Post) 416-924-5491	OW participants should contact their OW caseworkers. ODSP participants should contact their ODSP caseworkers.
Gas, Hydro, and Other Energy Arrears with/without a disconnection notice	There is the Emergency Energy Fund (EEF): for applications, call 416-338-3332	OW participants should contact their OW caseworkers. ODSP participants should contact their ODSP caseworkers.