NT Power - Connecting in our Communities

You may have seen NT Power around Midland, Tay or Newmarket at a parade, community presentation, food bank or festival.  We have been out spreading the news of changes to many assistance programs that can support NT Power customers.  It has been wonderful to connect with so many of our customers through community events this year. 

So far in 2024, NT Power has hosted two community assistance program sessions, has been at Midland’s Spring Home Show and Newmarket Home and Lifestyle Show and participated in Tay, Midland and Newmarket’s Touch a Truck events.  Our staff took part in Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival in Midland, EV shows in Newmarket and Midland, York’s Pride Parade, and a local school’s BBQ. We were proud to take part in community meal programs, and our staff looks forward to continuing to support all these great events moving forward.  Being involved, accessible and visible in our communities is important to us as it creates opportunities to connect with our customers, answer questions and share relevant information about programming that could provide them with needed assistance and support.

Our effort to personally reach our customers has been motivated by a desire to connect all eligible customers with the available assistance and energy affordability programs. 

Kelly McCann, VP, Customer & Employee Experience: “We are sensitive to the pressures that inflation and current economic conditions are placing on NT Power customers and want to ensure that we connect our customers with the resources, organizations, and programs that will help to alleviate some of the stress and the pressure that comes from trying to make ends meet. There are several ways that we can work with customers who are at risk of falling behind on payments or whose account are already in arrears. We urge anyone having difficulties covering their electricity bill to reach out to us as soon as possible so we can work with you to create a plan.” 

As of March 1, 2024, there have been several updates made to the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). A summary of the updates is as follows:

• Customers applying or reapplying for OESP after March 1, 2024, will undergo assessment under new, heightened eligibility thresholds. Applicants may be eligible for higher credit amounts under the latest guidelines and must reapply to access these benefits.
• The application process for new or renewed OESP applications will remain unchanged.
• Current OESP recipients unaffected by the increased credit amounts will continue receiving their existing credit for their eligibility period without requiring action.
• Eligibility for LEAP will be aligned with the new OESP income thresholds, and grant increments range from $650 to $780.
• A guaranteed evaluation period of LEAP applications within 21 days.
• Assurance that no qualifying LEAP EFA application will be denied due to funding deficits.