Ontario Energy Board (OEB) – COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program – Small Business (CEAP-SB) (2022)

ByMaurice
  • This program is currently closed.

Description:

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

Comments on Funding:

Funding is:

  • up to $850 in support towards the electricity bill of small business and registered charity customers if they primarily use electricity for heating;
  • up to $425 in support towards the electricity bill of small business and registered charity customers if they primarily use another heating source (not electricity);
  • up to $425 in support towards their natural gas bill for small business and registered charity customers.

Eligibility:

  • Small business customers who made partial payments in early 2020 for amounts owing on their bills prior to March 17, are now eligible to apply for CEAP-SB. Customers who previously applied but were denied will have their original applications reviewed by utilities and will be contacted directly if they are determined to meet the new 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:
  • The customer has an active account with an electricity distributor, a USMP or a natural gas distributor. 
  • The customer’s account falls within the following class:
  • for customers of an electricity distributor, the General Service less than 50 kW rate class
  • for customers of a USMP, the relevant commercial class that uses less than 150,000 kWh of electricity annually
  • for customers of a natural gas distributor, is a non-residential customer that uses less than 50,000 cubic meters of gas annually 

Customers can find information about their class on their bill, or they can contact their utility or USMP.

  • The customer has a registered business number or charitable registration number for the small business or registered charity operating out of the premises.
  • Customers may qualify if (before March 17) they:
  • did not have any overdue amounts on their electricity bill on March 17, 2020, the date of the Provincial Declaration of Emergency, or 
  • made at least partial payments on amounts overdue prior to March 17, 2020. 
  • The customer (after March 17) failed to make complete payment for the electricity and/or gas charges (as applicable) on at least two bills issued since March 17, 2020, and has an overdue balance on the date of their application for CEAP.
  • If the customer made partial payments on their bills, they may still qualify for CEAP.
  • The customer’s small business or registered charity premises was required to close* to the public for regular operations for at least 15 days as a result of a government order or inability 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.

Program Contact:

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program – Small Business (CEAP-SB)

CEAP for Small Business

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    About the author

    Maurice

    Maurice (Moe) Muise learned the ins-and-outs of government while an employee of the Government of Canada in Ottawa for 10 years. His current focus is helping small businesses in Ontario to identify and maximize government grants to grow their business. Click here to learn more about Moe’s background and how he can help your business.

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