By: Laura Steiner
Ontario will provide financial assistance to residents when the province enters its second COVID-19 lockdown December 26, 2020. The announcement included a lower hydro rate to be available 24/7.
“We are asking people to make greater sacrifices to help contain this deadly virus, whether that’s staying home or asking their employees to work from home where possible,” Ford said.
The province’s Support for Learners program will be expanded to students in Grade 8 through Grade 12. “We are providing direct financial support to parents of elementary and now high school children to help them get through this pandemic,” Lecce said. Applications will be accepted between January 11 and February 8, 2021 for secondary students, while the deadlines for both youth up to 12 years old, and with special needs will also be extended until February 8 2021.
The province will also hold hydro prices to 8.5 cents/ Kwh for all time of use, and tiered customers. “As we enter a Provincewide Shutdown, our government is ensuring that all households have stable and predictable electricity bills when they need it most,” Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Indigenous Affairs Greg Affairs said. The price change is effective January 1, 2021 and will last throughout the pandemic.
It will also be able to get help with they hydro bills. Families, businesses, and registered charity with an overdue electricity or natural gas bill will be eligible to apply for aid through the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). Residential customers can receive up to $750, while businesses are eligible for $1500. Applications can be submitted through local utilities starting January, 2021.
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