Why Some Canadian Seniors Pay $10 for Internet While Others Pay $100
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Internet bills have quietly become one of those expenses many Canadian households simply accept.
For a lot of families, paying $90-$100 a month for home internet is now pretty normal. Nothing special. Just a standard plan that somehow keeps getting more expensive every year.
A while ago, I was helping a family member organize some paperwork when I came across something I didn't know existed.
If you're a senior receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), you may qualify for a TELUS internet plan starting at around $10 per month.
That isn't a small discount.
Compared to a $100 monthly internet bill, the difference works out to about $1,080 per year.
What surprised me most wasn't the price. It was how few people seem to know about it.
The program has been around for years, but many eligible seniors continue paying regular internet prices simply because they've never heard of it.
If you or someone in your family receives GIS, here's how to find out if this program may be available.
What Is Internet for Good for Seniors?
The program is called Internet for Good for Seniors, offered by TELUS.
It's designed to help lower-income seniors stay connected with affordable internet access.
One important thing to know is that it is not available everywhere in Canada.
The program currently serves eligible TELUS customers in:
Alberta
British Columbia
Select areas of Quebec
If you live in Ontario or other provinces, you may need to look for alternative low-income internet programs offered by other providers.
Are You Eligible?
The first thing to know is that receiving OAS alone doesn't automatically qualify you for this program.
The key requirement is receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
If you're not sure whether you receive GIS, don't worry. There's an easy way to check.
Take a look at your T4A(OAS) slip and find Box 21 — Net Supplements Paid.
According to TELUS, seniors with at least $6,500 in Box 21 may qualify for Internet for Good for Seniors.
If you have access to your T4A(OAS) slip, you'll be able to find out in just a few minutes.
Let's walk through it step by step.
How to Apply?
Step 1: Confirm That You Receive GIS
Many seniors receive Old Age Security (OAS), but not everyone receives the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
For this program, GIS eligibility is the key requirement.
Receiving OAS alone does not automatically qualify you.
If you're unsure whether you receive GIS, you can check through:
My Service Canada Account
Previous GIS payment notices
Your annual tax documents
Step 2: Find Your T4A(OAS) Slip
TELUS requires proof of eligibility as part of the application process.
The document most commonly used is your T4A(OAS) slip.
If you don't have a paper copy, you can usually access it through:
CRA My Account
My Service Canada Account
Having this document ready before applying can save time later.
Step 3: Check Box 21
On the T4A(OAS) slip, look for:
Box 21 — Net Supplements Paid
TELUS currently advises that seniors with at least $6,500 in Box 21 may qualify for the program.
Here's a simple example:
If there's one number worth checking today, it's Box 21.
Step 4: Prepare Your Documents
When submitting your application, TELUS generally needs to see:
Your name
Your address
Your Box 21 amount
For privacy reasons, many applicants choose to hide part of their SIN before uploading documents.
TELUS also recommends protecting sensitive personal information when sharing eligibility documents online.
Step 5: Apply Online
Once you have your documents ready, the process is fairly straightforward.
You can apply directly through TELUS here:
https://www.telus.com/shop/home/for-good/internet-for-good/low-income-seniors
After submission, applications are reviewed by TELUS and approved applicants receive instructions on how to activate their service.
Why So Many Seniors Miss This Program
The biggest reason is simple.
Most people don't go looking for internet discounts unless they're actively shopping around.
Unlike government benefits that arrive automatically or receive regular media coverage, this program often stays under the radar. As a result, two seniors living in the same city can end up paying dramatically different prices for internet service.
One household pays around $100 a month. Another pays around $10.
The difference isn't necessarily the internet plan itself.
It's simply knowing the program exists.
WalletBrief verified the information in this article using TELUS's Internet for Good program pages and Government of Canada OAS/GIS documentation. As with any benefit program, eligibility rules can change, so it's always worth checking the official TELUS website before applying.