COVID-19 UPDATES

UPDATED January 21, 2021

As the pandemic continues, the scams are also continuing. A number of more recent scams focus on rebates and refunds. Please be wary. Do not provide any personal information over the phone unless you are sure of the caller. Do not let strangers into your house.

We have been made aware of a number of COVID-19 related scams targeting electricity customers.

If you receive a call, message or text from someone threatening to disconnect power for non-payment, do not respond. These calls are not coming from us.

Also be aware of messages claiming to be from your utility with COVID-19 in the subject line. There have been several reports of emails, texts and websites sharing fake information about utility payments and refunds.

If you receive a suspicious message or call, do not respond. Contact us directly at 519-853-3701 or inquiries@haltonhillshydro.com

For more details on these scams, see this article from the Ontario Energy Board:

https://www.oeb.ca/newsroom/2020/consumer-alert-beware-scams-during-covid-19-emergency

UPDATE: Effective February 8th, regular electricity prices have resumed.

Effective January 18^th, 2022, The Government of Ontario is reducing the price of electricity to assist businesses and families impacted by the recent public health measures in place to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.

The new fixed rate of 8.2₵/kWh will be in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 21 days starting at 12:01 am, on Tuesday January 18^th, 2022. This price, equivalent to the current Off-Peak electricity price will apply to all residential and small commercial customers regardless of whether you pay Time of Use or Tiered prices.

The new price will apply automatically to all eligible consumers for all electricity used between January 18^th and February 7^th. You do not need to apply.

In addition, the Province has announced a $10,000 grant for eligible businesses impacted by Stage 2 closures and a new Ontario Business Costs Rebate program for those that have had to reduce capacity.

Information on the business grant and rebates as well as more information on the new price for electricity can be found here:

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001399/ontario-providing-supports-for-small-businesses-workers-and-families

Updated March 11, 2022

NOTE: COVID-19 Electricity Pricing is no longer in effect.

Q1: What is the new electricity price?

A1: Effective January 18, 2022, residential, small business customers and farms currently paying Time-of-Use or Tiered prices will pay 8.2 ¢/kWh no matter what time of day the electricity is consumed. The Government has indicated that it intends to keep the 8.2 ¢/kWh pricing in place for 21 days.

The 8.2 ¢/kWh pricing applies automatically – no customer action is required.

Update: This procing program has now ended

Q2: Which customers will receive the new pricing?

A2: All households, small businesses and farms that buy their electricity from Halton Hills Hydro will pay 8.2¢/kWh for all hours of the day, every day of the week for electricity used from January 18^th to February 7^th.

This price is in effect for all customers who currently pay Time-of-Use OR Tiered electricity prices.

Customers who have a contract with an energy retailer for their electricity prices will pay their contract price instead.

Q4: How long will the new pricing be in effect?

A4: The Government has stated that it intends for the new pricing to be in effect for 21 days – until February 7, 2022.

Q5: How and when will the new pricing appear on bills?

A5: The new price will show on bills for electricity consumed between January 18^th and February 7^th. Each electricity line – on-peak, mid-peak, off-peak or Tier 1, Tier 2 for tiered customers will bill at the same rate of 8.2 ¢/kWh.

Bills that reflect electricity used before or after the January 18^th to February 7^th window will reflect multiple line items as only electricity used within that window is billed at the new rate.

Q6: Does the new pricing apply to customers on tiered prices?

A6: Yes. The price applies to all customers who currently pay Time-of-Use OR Tiered prices.

Q7: Why is this price change happening?

A7: The Province of Ontario is providing relief for businesses and residents impacted by the current public health measures in place to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.

Q8: Are there other programs available for businesses impacted by the current public health measures?

A8: The Ontario Government has introduced new supports for businesses including the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant and the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program. Visit the Ontario Government website to learn more: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-help-businesses-ontario

NOTE: Please check the link above - some of these programs have now ended.

Q9: Is Halton Hills Hydro’s Office open during the pandemic?

A9: Halton Hills Hydro’s office is currently closed to the public. Our office continues to be open to assist customers through telephone or email and our operations continue as usual.

Q10: How can I contact Halton Hills Hydro?

A10: You can e-mail us at any time at inquiries@haltonhillshydro.com. Our office is open for telephone inquiries at 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday. We are available 24 hours a day for power outage emergencies. Call 519-853-3701.

You will also find a number of easy to use self-service features on our website at www.haltonhillshydro.com

Q11: How can I pay my bill?

A11: Currently, the safest option for payment is online through your financial institution or sign up for pre-authorized payments. For pre-authorized payments click here. Credit card payments can be made through our website by clicking here. Cheques can be mailed or dropped off in our night deposit box at 43 Alice St. Acton, L7J 2A9. Please call or e-mail our office if you need to make payment arrangements.

Q12: What is Halton Hills Hydro doing if I can’t pay my bill?

A12: Halton Hills Hydro understands that many customers are facing financial hardships as a result of the pandemic. Arrears payment arrangements are available to customers who need more time to pay their account.

Halton Hills Hydro offers the following payment assistance programs to assist customers having difficulty paying their bills:

• Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
• Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

Full details are available on the Payment Assistance page on our website.

Check back frequently for updates.

Updated March 11, 2022

These programs are ending March 14, 2022. For full details on Ontario COVID-19 Small Business programs, visit: Businesses: Get help with COVID-19 costs

The Ontario Government has introduced new supports for businesses including the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relieve Grant and the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program.

To learn more or to apply for these programs please visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-help-businesses-ontario

These programs are handled by the government of Ontario and all inquiries should be directed to them by calling 1-866-668-8297 or 1-855-216-3090 or visiting https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs

Experiencing mail delays due to COVID-19? Signing up for paperless billing ensures you never miss a bill again. Receive an email notification each month when your bill is ready then log in to our secure portal where you can view or pay your bill, view previous bills, set up alerts and view your detailed energy use. https://haltonhillshydro.com/for-home/billing/ebills/

How can I be sure I receive my bill?

The best option to ensure delivery of your bill is uninterrupted is to sign up for paperless billing. With paperless billing, you receive an e-mail when your bill is ready with the amount due and payment date. The e-mail provides an easy link to our AccountOnline portal where you can view your bill, link directly to your financial institution for payment, and view your detailed energy consumption and billing history.

You can sign up for paperless billing online by visiting AccountOnline or by calling or e-mailing our customer care team. Call 519-853-3701 or e-mail inquiries@haltonhillshydro.com

How can I pay my bill?

Currently, the safest option for payment is online through your financial institution or sign up for pre-authorized payments. For pre-authorized payments click here. Credit card payments can be made through our website by clicking here. Cheques can be mailed or dropped off in our night deposit box at 43 Alice St. Acton, L7J 2A9. Please call or e-mail our office if you need to make payment arrangements.

What is Halton Hills Hydro doing if I can’t pay my bill?

Halton Hills Hydro understands that many customers are facing financial hardships as a result of the pandemic. Arrears payment arrangements are available to customers who need more time to pay their account.

Halton Hills Hydro offers the following payment assistance programs to assist customers having difficulty paying their bills:

• Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
• Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

Full details are available on the Payment Assistance page on our website.

Our office is currently closed to the public. However, we continue to be open to assist customers through telephone or email and our operations continue as usual.

You can e-mail us at any time at inquiries@haltonhillshydro.com. Our office is open for telephone inquiries 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday. We are available 24 hours a day for power outage emergencies. Call 519-853-3701.

You will also find a number of easy to use self-service features on our website at www.haltonhillshydro.com

For the latest power outage information, check out our Outage Map or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.