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

The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) was a time-limited program that provided an on-bill credit to small business and registered charity electricity customers that experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CEAP-SB funding was limited and was processed in the order applications were received (first come, first served). The program came to an end in July 2021 and all funding assigned to Toronto Hydro was distributed.

Site visits weren't required to qualify for CEAP-SB. In order to qualify, customers needed to meet the eligibility criteria and submit an application.

Some customers reported receiving phone calls from scammers falsely representing the CEAP-SB program and claiming a site visit or home inspection is required. If you think you may be a victim of fraud, please report it to us online and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

If you were eligible and your application was approved, CEAP-SB provided a total credit equal to your account’s overdue balance, including any Arrears Arrangement Plans, up to a maximum of $1,500.

If you previously received a CEAP-SB credit on your bill and qualified for additional funding, the combined credits couldn't exceed $1,500.

Once your information is verified and you’ve been notified that you’re eligible, the on-bill credit will appear on your next bill or the following one, depending on your billing cycle.

If you submitted an application before the program ended on July 26, 2021, you’ll receive a confirmation that your application was received and is being processed.

Depending on how you applied, we’ll notify you whether or not you’ve been approved through email, mail or the phone number you provided on your application.

CEAP-SB was funded by the Government of Ontario to support small business customers struggling to pay their electricity bills as a result of COVID-19. These funds were proportionally allocated to unit sub-meter providers, gas distributors and electricity distributors, such as Toronto Hydro, who made this program available to customers.

All CEAP-SB funding assigned to Toronto Hydro has was distributed as of July 2021, and we’re no longer accepting applications.

Other financial assistance programs for small business customers struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic are available through the federal and provincial governments.

To learn about federal government financial programs and benefits, visit the Government of Canada’s Support for Businesses web page.

Visit the COVID-19: Help for businesses in Ontario web page to learn about available supports from the province as your business recovers from COVID-19.

The government also offered the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to support residential customers struggling to pay their electricity bills as a result of COVID-19. CEAP for residential customers ended in July 2021.

Other financial assistance programs available to help residential customers manage their electricity costs include the Emergency Energy Fund (EEF), the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) and the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

Learn more about other financial assistance programs for residential customers.

You’re responsible for assessing your eligibility for CEAP-SB and providing truthful and accurate account information to us. The Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines may contact you for further information as part of its audit.

Because CEAP-SB was funded by the Government of Ontario, it may be necessary for us to share your information with the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines to determine if you’re eligible for and to administer CEAP-SB.

If the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines requests any of the personal information contained in your application form to verify your eligibility or for audit purposes for CEAP-SB, we'll be required to provide it. The Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines may also contact you for further information as part of its audit. You’re encouraged to retain any documentation that demonstrates you meet the eligibility for CEAP-SB.

With the exception of specific requests from the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Finance, the Ontario Energy Board, and/or the Independent Electricity System Operator, we will not share your information with any other parties.