The Inn of the Good Shepherd is making a concerted effort to support families before they reach crisis by making sure they are aware of available financial supports.
Program Manager Adrienne McPhee said part of their poverty prevention strategy moving forward is to ensure families know about the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), a credit to help low-income households reduce their monthly electricity bills.
McPhee said successful applicants could be eligible to have up to $75 taken off of their bills.
"So that's $75 that they're then able to apply to other bills in their life, maybe a phone bill, maybe new shoes for the kid," she said.
In the last fiscal year, McPhee said 231 successful applications were filed.
However, McPhee said they realized many clients were unaware of the program.
"This is an amazing government benefit, but it only benefits people if they know how to access it," she said.
Families are encouraged to reach out to the Inn if they're interested in learning more about the OESP.
"We're happy to help people through the application process, help them gather their documents, explain how it works. It's a very quick application process, especially if those individuals are already coming to the Inn of The Good Shepherd for income tax support or they're already using our food bank, they're already connected with our program."
McPhee said the application takes about 10 minutes to fill out.
Applications are accepted year-round, but may take six to eight weeks to process.
The Inn is the only OESP intake agency in Lambton County.
