Since the summer of 2020, the Government of Ontario has made $40 million available to support customers who have overdue amounts on their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.

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The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) provides an on-bill credit to eligible residential electricity and natural gas customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. Residential customers may be eligible for up to $750 in support and can apply for on-bill credits for both electricity and natural gas separately. Customers who previously received CEAP support that was less than the maximum amount of $750 and have additional arrears may apply again, but their total on-bill credits cannot exceed that amount.

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CEAP is being delivered by electricity distributors, gas distributors and unit sub-meter providers (USMPs).

 

You must apply to NORTHERN ONTARIO WIRES INC. for CEAP.

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CEAP Eligibility Criteria

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The Ontario Energy Board updated the eligibility criteria on January 14, 2021, so that more customers may qualify for CEAP.

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Residential electricity and gas customers are now eligible for CEAP if they meet the following criteria:

• The customer has an account with an electricity distributor, a unit sub-meter provider (USMP) or a natural gas distributor. Only the customer who is the account holder can submit an application for CEAP.

• The customer has overdue amounts owing on the day they apply from one or more electricity or gas bills since March 17, 2020.

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CEAP Benefit Amounts

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CEAP 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 does not guarantee funding.

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Eligible customers may qualify for CEAP credits for the electricity or natural gas charges that are overdue on the date of their application for CEAP, up to a maximum of $750.

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Applying for CEAP

 

You must apply to NORTHERN ONTARIO WIRES INC. See "How to Apply" below for the Application form and how to send it to NOW Inc.

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Utilities and USMPs are expected to process complete applications within 10 business days of receipt.

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FAQs

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1. Can customers apply for CEAP to help with both their electricity and natural gas bills?
   Yes. Also, residential customers who received CEAP support that was less than the maximum amount of $750 may apply again, but their total on-bill credits for each bill (electricity and gas) cannot exceed that amount. That means a residential customer may receive up to $750 for their electricity bill, and up to $750 for their gas bill.
    

2. Is there a deadline to apply for CEAP?
   Not at the moment. Funding for the program is limited, however. Utilities and USMPs are expected to process applications in the order in which they are received. CEAP funding is not guaranteed even after a complete application has been submitted.
   
   Each utility and USMP has been allocated a share of CEAP funding. We will stop accepting applications and providing CEAP credits once our CEAP funding has run out.
    

3. When will I see the credit on my bill?
   If we have CEAP funds remaining, the credit will be applied to the next available bill issued to you after your CEAP application has been assessed as complete.
    

4. Why doesn’t the bill credit amount cover the full amount of my arrears?
   The on-bill CEAP credit covers the charges that are past due, up to a maximum amount of $750. Setting the level of support for individual customers in this way will assist in achieving the government’s objective of making CEAP available to help the most people affected financially by the COVID-19 emergency.
    

5. How do I apply for the CEAP Small Business (CEAP-SB) program?
   You must apply through us. Further details on CEAP-SB, including the application process, can be found here.
    

6. I had applied previously and was told my application was not approved due to a lack of funding. Do I have to reapply?
   No. Customers who previously applied but were denied due to a lack of funding will have their original applications reviewed and will be contacted if they meet the eligibility criteria and funding is available.

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COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) Application Forms

How to Apply

 

1. Download the CEAP Application Form.
   
   English version:
   CEAP_Electricity Application Form_ENG_20210520.pdf
   
   Version française:
   CEAP_Electricity Application Form_FR_20210520.pdf
    

2. Fill out the form.
   Please Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader version 8 or higher is required to complete the form.
    

3. Send the completed form back to us via:
   E-mail: customercare@nowinc.ca (Subject line should read: CEAP Application Form)
   
   In-Person Drop-off between 10:00am and 2:00pm Monday - Friday (If our offices are closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, you can leave the application in the after-hours drop box located at the front office):
   153 Sixth Avenue
   Cochrane, ON
   Note: After-hours drop box is available at the front
   
   Mail:
   Northern Ontario Wires Inc.
   153 Sixth Avenue
   Cochrane, ON, P0L 1C0
   
   Fax: 705-272-3015

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