Federal

Connecting Families Initiative

Easy application

Need you to file taxes and apply separately

The Connecting Families Initiative can help you get one of two home internet options, if you are getting either the maximum Canada Child Benefit or maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement amounts:

  • Home internet for $20 per month (plus tax), which offers speeds of “up to 50 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed” with 200 GB of data.
  • Home internet for $10 per month (plus tax), which offers speeds of “up to 10/1 Mbps” with 100 GB of data.

These packages are only available in areas where there is internet service. The Connecting Families Program is not available in some rural and remote communities, including Canada’s North.

You are eligible for the Connecting Families Initiative if you are getting either the maximum Canada Child Benefit or the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement amounts.

You get the maximum Canada Child Benefit if your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) is less than $32,797.

  • You can find your AFNI using this calculation:
    • Start with your family net income (line 23600 of your tax return, plus line 23600 of your spouse's or common-law partner's tax return)
    • Subtract any universal childcare benefit (UCCB) and registered disability savings plan (RDSP) income received (line 11700 and line 12500 of your or your spouse's tax return)
    • Add any UCCB and RDSP amounts repaid (line 21300 and line 23200 of your or your spouse's tax return)

You get the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement if you have no income after excluding the amount of your Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the first $5000 of employment or self-employment income.

If you are eligible, you automatically get a letter from the Government of Canada, which will contain an access code that you need to sign up.

If you have moved, or have lost your letter, you can call Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada at 1-800-328-6189 (voice); 1-866-694-6189 (TTY) for support.

Once you get your letter, follow these steps to sign up.

  1. Visit www.connecting-families.ca. This registration portal has been brought to you via a partnership between the Government of Canada and Computers for Success Canada, to connect you to an Internet Service Provider that offers low-rate Internet packages to eligible households in your area.
  2. Use the code located on the top right corner of the letter you got to confirm your eligibility when prompted to do so on the website. Keep this letter and code in a safe place, or take a photo of it in case you need it in the future.

If you do not yet have Internet access at home or need help signing up, you can visit your local library or community centre that offers Internet access to follow the steps above.

If you have any questions or need help with the registration process you can call Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada at 1-800-328-6189 (voice); 1-866-694-6189 (TTY) for support.

Last updated: November 25, 2022