Ontarians To Get Relief From Electricity Costs
Ontario Home Electricity Relief Program Will Provide $100 Million For Low-Income Ontarians
TORONTO, June 22 /CNW/ - The Ontario government passed legislation that will provide $100 million in assistance to low-income Ontarians to help them with rising electricity costs, Finance Minister Greg Sorbara said today. "We are providing this one-time assistance to help low-income families adjust to higher electricity costs," said Sorbara. "We are proud this new program will get money into the hands of those who need it most, as quickly as possible." The Ontario Home Electricity Relief program will provide $100 million in assistance to low-income individuals and families in the form of a one-time payment, which is based on family type and net income. Single people may receive up to $60, and families may receive up to $120. The following chart shows the amount of the relief payment based on family type and net income:
INDIVIDUALS FAMILIES Net Income Relief Family Net Income Relief ----- Up to $14,000 $60 Up to $23,000 $120 ------------ $15,000 $50 $25,000 $100 ----------------------------$16,000 $40 $27,000 $80 ----------------------------- $17,000 $30 $29,000 $60 ----------------------------- $18,000 $20 $31,000 $40 -----------------------------$19,000 $10 $33,000 $20 -----------------------------$20,000 and up $0 ------------------------ $35,000 and up $0
To qualify, those eligible must file their 2005 tax returns by December 31, 2006. Relief payments could begin as early as the fall of 2006. "We recognize that low-income Ontarians spend a disproportionate amount of their incomes on electricity costs," Sorbara said. "This program is part of a package of measures to ensure that supports and opportunities are available to those in our province with the greatest need." The program would build on initiatives proposed in the 2006 Budget, including: - Making permanent the flow-through of the July 2004, 2005 and 2006 increases to the National Child Benefit Supplement; - Increasing social assistance rates by two per cent for recipients of Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program, in addition to the three per cent increase in 2004-05; - Enriching the Ontario Property and Sales Tax Credits so that seniors who receive the guaranteed minimum level of income from governments would get the full benefit of the credits; - Providing additional support for at-risk youth; and - Investing in developmental services, other supports for the vulnerable and affordable housing. In addition, the government is doubling the provincial Emergency Energy Fund to $4.2 million, including $500,000 for First Nations members living on reserve. The fund helps social assistance recipients and other low-income households pay for utility arrears, security deposits and reconnection costs for electricity, natural gas, oil and other forms of energy.
