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). Program funds have been depleted and new applications are no longer being accepted.

Site visits were required to qualify for CEAP-SB. 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 may not 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.

You’ll receive a confirmation that your application has been 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. The government provided $8 million 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.

The government also provided $9 million through the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to support residential customers struggling to pay their electricity bills as a result of COVID-19. All CEAP funding assigned to Toronto Hydro has been depleted at this time, and we’re no longer accepting new applications.

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.