As of this January 1, 2016 there have been a couple of changes to your electricity bill. The 10% Ontario Clean Energy rebate was eliminated. It is important to understand the removal of this rebate will increase billing by about 10 per cent.

Also, if your service is under a Residential-Rate Class, the Debt Retirement Charge has been removed from your bill. However, if you have a farm and home on the same bill, you may be under a General Service class, and you need to apply to have the DRC removed from the home use portion of electricity. Learn more about the removal of the Debt Retirement Charge here.

Here is a list of programs that may be helpful in reducing your bill and managing costs:

• The Budget Billing Plan spreads costs evenly throughout the year – www.HydroOne.com/MyAccount

• Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) provides emergency relief to eligible low-income customers – www.HydroOne.com/LEAP

• Home Assistance Program for low-income customers can help improve home energy efficiency – www.HydroOne.com/SaveEnergy

• Electricity Support Program (OESP) www.OntarioElectricitySupport.ca. The OESP focuses assistance to those who most need it. Low-income Ontarians spend a disproportionate share of their income on electricity costs. A household with income under $20,000 spends about 10 per cent of annual earnings on electricity, whereas a household earning $100,000 spends less than two per cent. To address this disparity, the OESP monthly benefit of $20 to $50 directly reduces bill costs of Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens.