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Medical, Food and Financial Assistance
Medicaid (Health First Colorado)
Medicaid provides a free or low-cost healthcare insurance. Visit healthfirstcolorado.com to learn more about Health First Colorado.
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
CHP+ is a low-cost health insurance program for uninsured Colorado children ages 18 and under whose family earnings do not qualify them for Medicaid but they cannot afford private insurance. Visit https://hcpf.colorado.gov/child-health-plan-plus to learn more about CHP+.
If you already receive any of these services you may check the status of your benefits by creating an online account through PEAK.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is available for income-eligible individuals and families. Income eligible individuals and families must apply and be determined eligible. Food assistance can be used to buy food only. Alcoholic beverages, pet food, tobacco, paper products, or other nonfood items cannot be purchased with food assistance benefits. If determined eligible, the benefit amount will be placed in an electronic account which can be accessed by individuals through the Colorado Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system. EBT cards are accepted by most grocery stores. Visit https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap to learn more about the SNAP program.
Other Food Assistance
Visit the Archuleta County Food Coalition for a list of Food Banks/Pantries for further food assistance.
Colorado Works (CW) / Colorado's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The CW/TANF program provides cash assistance to families in need. It is designed to help families become self-sufficient by strengthening their economic and social stability. Through this program, individuals who are pregnant or have dependent children, and who meet other eligibility requirements can receive monthly basic cash assistance (BCA) payments, help with emergency household expenses and services, such as counseling, and training.
For more information, visit the Colorado Works Website.
TANF Diversion
This program provides a one time work related financial need, limited to adult family member with dependent children.
Aid to Needy Disabled (AND)
The AND Program provides a small cash assistance benefit to low-income Colorado residents ages 18-59 who have at least a six-month total disability that precludes them from working and who are not receiving Social Security Insurance benefits. Monthly cash benefits are provided until such time as a person is eligible for disability. Persons who are U.S. citizens or legal residents may be eligible.
Aid to the Blind (AB)
Monthly cash benefits are provided for adults who are legally blind and who do not receive Social Security Insurance benefits until such time as a person is eligible for disability through the Social Security Administration. U.S. citizens and legal residents may be eligible.
Old Age Pension (OAP)
Provides assistance and health care benefits for eligible low-income adults aged 60 or older.
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To learn more about Adult Financial Programs, visit the Colorado Department of Human Services website.
For information regarding Supplemental Security Income or applying for Social Security Disability, please visit the Social Security Administration website.
Private citizens are encouraged to report financial and time fraud as well as waste or misuse of resources.
If fraud is suspected at the county level, such as in the delivery or misuse of funds for SNAP (food stamps) or TANF (welfare benefits), please contact your local county fraud investigator.
For all other fraud concerns, contact the CDHS Fraud Hotline at 877.934.6361 or fill out the form. Note: The fraud hotline and online form now include the option to report fraud in Spanish.
Be ready with the following information:
The name of the individual or organization
The address of the individual or organization
The individuals living in the household
The date of the alleged misconduct
A detailed description explaining why you suspect fraud or abuse
Your contact information
The fraud referral will either be investigated by the CDHS Audit Division or referred to the appropriate contact for further investigation. For more information, visit CDHS.Colorado.gov