Colorado operates as a state supervised, county administered human services system.
Programs and services are mandated by state and federal statutes and guided by state and
federal regulations.
Factors that determine eligibility can vary depending on program. Applicants will need to
provide documentation during the application process including documents verifying age;Colorado residency, income;SSN, resources, expenses, disability (if applicable), and application for SSI (if applicable).
Colorado PEAK
Assistance programs coordinate with Colorado PEAK for the application process and
management; an office visit is usually not needed. Acquire an account on Colorado PEAK to
maximize the online services available. Colorado PEAK is operated at the state level. The PEAK Technical Support Call Center number is 1-800-250-7741, open 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed on state holidays).
Individuals can access benefit account details (balances, transactions, request a new card) by using the ebtEDGE app. There are also options to increase security for the account.
The free MyCoBenefits app is available through the Apple and Android app stores. PEAKHealth is a free app for current Medicaid and CHP+ members who have a Colorado.gov/PEAK account.
Did you know that if you receive cash assistance benefits, you can have that cash directly
deposited into your bank account? The direct deposit enrollment form is available online.
SNAP (Food Assistance)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income households purchase food. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards are used to receive the monthly benefit and can be used similar to debit cards at authorized retail food stores.
Applicants are encouraged to create an account at Colorado PEAK to maximize the services
available online. For more detailed information on the eligibility, application, documentation
for the SNAP visit https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap.
Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants may stretch their funds with the Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus (started Aug. 1, 2024). It’s simple: SNAP clients spend up to $20 on eligible fruit and vegetables at a participating market and have a dollar-for-dollar match automatically added onto their EBT card to use at any SNAP location ($60 reimbursed per month). Visit the CDHS program website for a map of locations and other details: https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap-produce-bonus.
Double Up Food Bucks Colorado
When customers spend their SNAP benefits on their EBT card at participating farmers markets or select retailers, those food benefits will be matched dollar for dollar to be put toward Colorado-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per visit. For locations where;Double Up Food Bucks is available, visit the website at https://doubleupcolorado.org/.
Colorado Works
Colorado Works is Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a federal
program to provide financial assistance to low-income families. Child Only TANF is designed to provide assistance to a caregiver for a relative child. If you are a grandparent/relative caregiver you may qualify to receive financial assistance.
There are specific eligibility criteria. Colorado Works also has a 60-month lifetime limit.
The application process can be started online at Colorado Peak or a paper application can be picked up at our Salida or Buena Vista office.
Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
Health First Colorado provides medical benefits including inpatient and out patient hospital, physician services, well child checks, immunizations, prescriptions, dental benefits, and mental health care. To qualify, applicants must meet citizenship, legal residence, and income requirements. Anyone who needs health coverage can apply at any time of the year. There are several types of Medicaid including but not limited to Long Term Care Medicaid;Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), and Medicare Savings Medicaid. Medicare Savings Medicaid help people with limited income and resources pay for some or all of their Medicare premiums and may pay their Medicare deductibles and co-insurance.
There are also Medicaid Buy-In programs available. Health First Colorado Buy-In Programs
help individuals with disabilities who earn too much to qualify for Health First Colorado. Buy-In program members pay a monthly premium based on their income.
The application process can be started online at Colorado Peak or a paper application can be picked up at our Salida or Buena Vista office.
Child Care Assistance (CCCAP)
Child Care Assistance also called CCCAP provides child care subsidies to eligible low-income families for child care when in an eligible activity. Assistance in finding quality child care is also available on the Colorado Shines website. If you have an active TANF case, please speak directly with your TANF technician about CCCAP. If you have questions or would like more information about the program in Chaffee County, please call 719-530-2500 or email us at: ChaffeeBenefits@state.co.us
Burial Assistance
The Burial Assistance Program provides payments to providers for burial and cremation services of low-income individuals. Burial benefits are used to cover reasonable and
necessary costs for burial services.
There are eligibility requirements. A person must have been receiving public assistance and/or Medicaid assistance at the time of death.
Program Applications can be picked up at the Salida or Buena Vista Offices. For more
information, email us at ChaffeeBenefits@state.co.us or call us at 719-530-2500
Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) and Aid to Blind
The Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only program provides a cash assistance benefit to low-income Colorado residents who have a disability that prevents them from working. The Aid to the Needy Disabled-Colorado Supplement (AND-CS) program provides a supplemental payment for clients up to age 59, who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to a disability or blindness, and are not receiving the full SSI benefit. Aid to Blind (AB) falls under the AND program.
Applications for assistance may be submitted online through Colorado Peak website or
submitted in person at the Salida or Buena Vista offices in Chaffee County.
Old Age Pension (OAP)
The Old Age Pension program provides cash assistance for low-income adults age 60 or older.
Applications for assistance may be submitted online through Colorado Peak website or
submitted in person at the Salida or Buena Vista offices in Chaffee County.
The Old Age Pension Health and Medical Care Program provides limited medical care for those that are receiving Old Age Pension, if they do not qualify for Health First Colorado.
Long Term Care
If you have a disability or are 65 or older, you may qualify for Long Term Care. Long Term care provides services and supports that can help you live in your home and community, such as help with bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.
Long Term Care also provides financial assistance if nursing home placement is needed.
If you want to apply for Long Term Care benefits, contact Chaffee County at 719-530-2500 and ask for a Long-Term Care worker.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
LEAP Colorado is the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program that helps eligible Colorado
households pay a portion of their winter heating costs. It is a federally funded program run by the Colorado Department of Human Services. Applications can be picked up at the Salida and Buena Vista offices. We have technicians that can help complete the applications and can make photocopies of the required documents. This program is based on household size and income. The benefit is typically paid directly to the utility company. You may also qualify for other programs for heating and cooling related issues, such as weatherization or emergency furnace repair. The annual LEAP season is November 1st – April 30th.
Salvation Army Assistance
Chaffee County offers emergency assistance that is funded by Salvation Army Bell Ringing
money that is brought in during the holiday season. This assistance if available for clients who are experiencing an emergency and need a hand up to get by. Part of the eligibility requirement is that it has to fix the problem. For example, some folks may get sick and are
unable to work for a week or two causing their income to go down and now they are unable to pay for rent. As long as we can see that a person can pay ongoing and has continuous income, a person could be eligible for this assistance. These applications are available at the Salida and Buena Vista DHS offices.
Employment First
Colorado Employment First is a state initiative that promotes employment in the general
workforce for people with disabilities and also helps Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) recipients find and keep jobs through education and training. The SNAP
Employment and Training helps participants with job-seeking skills, work experience, and other support to achieve self-sufficiency. Chaffee County has an Employment First coordinator that facilitates this program.
Work Force Development
Colorado Workforce Development through Colorado Works is a mandatory program for
participants in the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program known as Colorado Works. It provides job training, education, and work-based learning opportunities to help eligible families become self sufficient and gain stable employment.