The Yukon Government’s Pioneer Utility Grant (“PUG”) is a financial subsidy provided to
eligible Yukon seniors to partially offset higher home heating costs during the winter months,
regardless of whether they rent or own. The subsidy is available to seniors aged 65 years
and older who meet residency, income and other requirements.
The Income Support Unit (operated within the Social Services Branch of the Department of
Health and Social Services (“HSS”)) administers PUG under the authority of the Pioneer
Utility Grant Act (“PUG Act”) and the Pioneer Utility Grant Regulation (“PUG Regulation”).
PUG applicants submit an application package, including supporting documentation, to
establish their eligibility on an annual basis. PUG program officers and management – who
work within Social Services – determine eligibility and PUG amounts in accordance with the
PUG Act and PUG Regulation (which requires consideration of factors such as income,
principal residency, age and utility costs, as specified within the PUG Regulation).
Applications must generally be submitted on or after July 1 but not later than December 31 of
a year. In rare cases, an applicant may submit an application within January of the following
year. HSS would then seek confirmation from the applicant as to the reason for their late
application, and, if the applicant indicates that they were medically unable to make the
application between July and December due to exceptional medical circumstances, the
applicant will be asked to produce evidence confirming such.
