COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program – Small Business (CEAP-SB)
The Government of Ontario is providing $8 million to support small business and registered charity customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) provides, an on-bill credit to eligible small business and registered charity customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. Small business and registered charity customers may be eligible for up to $1500 in support towards their electricity. Small business and registered charity customers could also be eligible for up to $1500 in support towards their natural gas bill.
CEAP-SB is being delivered by electricity distributors, natural gas distributors and unit sub-meter providers (USMPs), in accordance with rules laid out by the OEB.
Utilities and USMPs will begin accepting applications for CEAP-SB on August 31, 2020.
Eligibility Criteria
Small business and registered charity electricity or natural gas customers are eligible for CEAP-SB if they meet all of the following criteria
- As of the date you are applying, your small business or registered charity has an active account with an electricity distributor or a unit sub-meter provider. You will be required to provide your registered business number or registered charity number.
- Your small business or registered charity is classified as a general service less than 50 kilowatt (kW) customer if the account is with an electricity distributor, or
- Your small business or registered charity is using less than 150,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually if the account is with a unit sub-meter provider.
- As of the date you are applying, your small business or registered charity has overdue amounts owing from one or more previous electricity bill(s) incurred since March 17, 2020, the date of the initial Provincial Declaration of Emergency.
If you previously received funding under this program and are reapplying based on the overdue amounts still owing, you may qualify for additional funding up to a total combined maximum credit of $1,500.
If you are not eligible for CEAP-SB, your business may still be eligible for property tax and energy bill rebates. More information can be found at Ontario.ca/covidsupport.
In addition, your primary residence may be eligible for residential CEAP or lower-income energy support programs. Please contact your utility for information on entering into a payment agreement. You may also visit the Ontario Energy Board’s website for more information.
CEAP-SB Benefit Amounts
CEAP-SB funding is limited, and utilities and USMPs are expected to process applications in the order in which they are received. Submitting an application for CEAP-SB to your utility or USMP does not guarantee funding.
Electricity Customers
Eligible small business and registered charity customers may qualify for a CEAP-SB credit equal to the electricity charges that are overdue on the date of their application for CEAP-SB, up to a maximum of $1500.
How to Apply
You must apply for CEAP-SB through your utility or USMP. Contact your utility or USMP directly as each may have a unique approach for application in-take.
At a minimum, customers may apply for CEAP-SB by email or by mail. Some utilities and USMPs may also have the capability to allow their customers to apply online or by phone. Contact your utility or USMP to find out what options are available.
Utilities and USMPs are expected to process complete applications within 10 business days of receipt.