Winter Warmth Program Launches to Help Ontario Families Stay Warm This Winter

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 1, 2011) - To help Ontario households stay warm this winter, Enbridge Gas Distribution (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB), together with United Way, today launched the 2011-2012 Winter Warmth program.

Winter Warmth provides financial assistance to low-income households struggling to pay their heating bills during the cold winter months. The program is coordinated and delivered to customers by United Way through a network of 20 community agencies and is supported by Enbridge Gas Distribution.

"The Winter Warmth program is a vital part of our efforts to assist customers who are having difficulty paying their heating bills," said Guy Jarvis, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "Thanks to the network of community agencies through United Way, the program is available to help customers in need get through the cold winter months."

How does Winter Warmth work?

Enbridge customers in need of financial assistance to pay their natural gas bills can learn more about applying for the Winter Warmth program through a network of participating community agencies.

Enbridge Gas Distribution's call centre can also advise customers about how to apply for Winter Warmth funding and direct them to the appropriate participating community agency. Customers can call 1-877-Enbridge (1-877-362-7434).

After successful completion of the application process, one-time funding will be credited directly to the applicant's natural gas bill.

Who is eligible?

Eligible grant recipients must be Enbridge residential service customers who cannot pay their natural gas bills due to reduced income levels or extenuating circumstances, whose accounts are in arrears or at risk of going into arrears and who have recently received a disconnection notice.

For more information on how to apply for the Winter Warmth program, customers can contact the following participating community agency in their area. For information on other programs available to families and individuals in need, visit www.enbridgegas.com/winterwarmth.

Region   Agency and Telephone Numbers
Barrie & Greater Simcoe County   Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness
(705) 726-2301 ext. 30
Bruce Grey   United Way of Bruce Grey
(519) 376-1560
City of Kawartha Lakes   A Place Called Home 
(705) 328-0905 ext. 223
Dufferin County   The County of Dufferin
(519) 941-6991 ext. 2102
Durham Region   Community Development Council Durham
(905) 686-2661
Fort Erie   The Salvation Army Community & Family Services 
(905) 871-1592
Lanark County   The Mills Community Support Corporation 
(613) 256-1031 ext. 24
Leeds and Grenville   1,000 Islands Credit Counselling
(613) 498-2111 ext. 234
Niagara Falls   Project S.H.A.R.E. 
(905) 357-5121 ext. 30
Northumberland County (Campbellford only)   The Help Centre
1-888-698-3382
Ottawa   The Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre
(613) 241-1573 ext. 307
Peel Region   Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre 
(905) 629-1873
Peterborough & District   Community Counselling/Housing Resource Centre 
(705) 743-2272
Port Colborne   Port Colborne Community Association for Resources
(905) 834-3629
Prescott & Russell   United Counties of Prescott & Russell
(613) 675-4642 ext. 6102
Renfrew County   The Salvation Army
(613) 735-5601
St. Catharines & District   Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold
(905) 984-8955
Toronto   Neighbourhood Information Post
(416) 924-2543
Welland Community   The Hope Centre
(905) 788-0744
York Region   Housing Help Centre
(905) 508-1877 or 1-888-447-9602 
(Toll-Free)

Enbridge Gas Distribution has a more than 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2010 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2011 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to about 1.9 million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com.

 

For more information please contact:

Enbridge Gas Distribution
Media Contact:
Chris Meyer
(416) 753-6626
chris.meyer@enbridge.com
www.enbridgegas.com