The cost of living in Toronto is higher than ever, and an unexpected job loss, illness, or emergency can put any household at risk of falling behind on rent or utilities. If you have received an eviction notice or a disconnection warning, the stress can be overwhelming.

The good news is that you are not alone, and help is available. The City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario offer several emergency grants and programs designed to help tenants stabilize their housing. This guide, updated for July 2025, outlines the key resources available to you right now.

• Act Quickly: These programs have application processes. The moment you know you are in trouble, start gathering information and making calls.

• These are Grants, Not Loans: Most of these programs provide one-time grants that you do not have to pay back. Their goal is emergency stabilization.

• Gather Your Documents: You will likely need to provide proof of your situation, such as an eviction notice (e.g., N4 form), a copy of your lease, overdue utility bills, and proof of household income.

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The Toronto Rent Bank is a key part of the city's Housing Stabilization Fund. It is designed to provide direct financial assistance to low-income households at risk of eviction due to rental arrears.

• What it Covers: It can provide a grant to cover some or all of the rent you owe. The goal is to prevent your eviction and give you time to stabilize your finances.

• Who is Eligible (2025 Criteria):

  • You must be a Toronto resident.

  • You must be a low-income household (income limits apply).

  • You are at imminent risk of eviction due to unpaid rent.

  • The reason for the arrears must be a temporary financial setback (e.g., short-term illness, temporary job loss).

  • You must have a viable plan to be able to afford your rent in the future.

• How to Apply: The best starting point is to call 211. They will connect you with the agency currently administering the Rent Bank program in your area of the city.

If you are behind on your Toronto Hydro bill, there are two separate programs that can help.

This is a one-time emergency grant for people facing immediate disconnection.

• What it Covers: Provides a grant of up to $650 per year ($780 for electrically heated homes) paid directly to your electricity or natural gas provider.

• Who is Eligible: You must be a low-income household with an overdue electricity or gas bill and be facing a disconnection notice.

• How to Apply: You cannot apply directly to your utility company. You must apply through a designated social service agency. Call 211 to find the LEAP intake agency nearest to you in Toronto.

This is not a one-time grant, but an ongoing monthly credit that reduces your bill before you even get it.

• What it Covers: Provides a monthly credit of $35 to $75 (or more, depending on household size and reliance on electric heat) directly on your hydro bill.

• Who is Eligible: Eligibility is based on your household income and the number of people living in your home. The income thresholds were updated for 2025, so it's worth checking even if you didn't qualify before.

• How to Apply: You can apply online anytime at the official OntarioElectricitySupport.ca website.

Receiving an N4 (Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent) is frightening, but it is not an eviction order.

1. Do Not Move Out: You have the right to a hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Only the LTB can issue an order for your eviction.
2. Contact a Legal Clinic Immediately: Free legal advice is available. Contact your local community legal clinic or the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations (FMTA) Tenant Hotline at 416-921-9494.
3. Apply for Grants: Start the application process for the Toronto Rent Bank right away. A pending application or successful grant can be a key piece of evidence at an LTB hearing, showing that you are taking steps to resolve the issue.

Your home is your foundation. If you are at risk of losing it, use these resources. Act today.

If you're facing eviction, you need to act quickly. The first step is to gather all your documents, including your lease agreement, any eviction notice (like an N4 form), and proof of your income. Then, immediately call 211 to apply for the Toronto Rent Bank. They provide one-time grants to low-income tenants to cover rental arrears and prevent eviction.

No. The financial assistance provided by the Toronto Rent Bank is a one-time grant, not a loan. Its purpose is to provide emergency help to stabilize your housing situation, so you do not have to repay it.

No, an N4 form is a "Notice to End a Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent." It is not an eviction order. You have the right to a hearing at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). It is crucial that you do not ignore this notice. Contact a community legal clinic or the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations (FMTA) for free legal advice and apply for the Toronto Rent Bank right away.

There are two main programs in Ontario to help with electricity bills:

• Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP): This is an emergency, one-time grant of up to $650 per year to prevent disconnection. You can apply by calling 211 to find the social service agency that manages LEAP in your area.
• Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP): This is an ongoing monthly credit of $35 to $75 applied directly to your hydro bill. You can apply for this online, and eligibility is based on your household income and size.

To be eligible for a grant from the Toronto Rent Bank, you must:

• Be a resident of Toronto.
• Be a low-income individual or family.
• Be at risk of eviction due to rental arrears.
• Have a plan to be able to afford your rent in the future.

For free legal advice regarding tenant rights and eviction notices, you can contact:

• Your local community legal clinic.

• The Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations (FMTA), which runs a tenant hotline.

  These organizations can provide guidance on dealing with your landlord and navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board process.