Adult Financial Programs

Colorado's Adult Financial Programs include the programs listed below. To apply for any these programs, use the Colorado PEAK website or fill out the application of your choice below and return it by mail, fax or in person to your local county human services office. Once approved, you can access cash assistance by using your EBT card or by selecting direct deposit.

Aid to the Needy Disabled-Colorado Supplement

The Aid to the Needy Disabled-Colorado Supplement (AND-CS) program provides a supplemental payment for clients age 0 to 59, who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to a disability or blindness, and are not receiving the full SSI benefit.

Program purpose

• The Aid to the Needy Disabled-Colorado Supplement (AND-CS) program provides a supplemental payment for clients age zero (0) to fifty-nine (59), who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to a disability or blindness and are not receiving the full SSI benefit.
• The total AND-CS grant standard is $943, effective January 1, 2024.

Eligibility

• Colorado resident.
• Must be a United States or naturalized citizen, or an eligible qualified non-citizen and be lawfully present.
• Must be approved for SSI due to a disability or blindness.
• Must pursue and accept all other potential income and resources that may be available.

State role

• Monitors and evaluates program performance.
• Establishes statewide program policy in consultation with the State Board of Human Services and provides county departments with technical assistance, training, and consultation.

Funding

• The total appropriation for AND (both State Only and Colorado Supplement) in SFY 2024-25 is $13,394,238. $7,654,065 is from the General Fund and $5,470,173 is from Cash Funds.

Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only

The Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO) program provides a cash assistance benefit to low-income Colorado residents who have a disability that precludes them from working. The program provides interim financial assistance while the client pursues Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI).

Program purpose

• The Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO) program provides a cash assistance benefit to low-income Colorado residents with a disability that precludes them from working. The program provides interim financial assistance while the client pursues Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI).
• The total AND-SO grant standard is $248.00, effective April 1, 2022.

Eligibility

• Colorado resident.
• Must be a United States or naturalized citizen, or an eligible qualified non-citizen and be lawfully present.
• Must be between the ages of 18-59.
• Have a qualifying disability identified by an approved medical professional expected to last 6 months or longer.
• Must have social factors that preclude the client from working.
• Must exhaust all other public financial assistance benefits, such as Colorado Works.
• Be actively pursuing SSI benefits.
• Complete the Authorization for Reimbursement of Interim Assistance form.
• All available income and resources are considered.
• Income such as wages, Social Security Benefits (SSA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veteran’s Assistance, etc. may reduce the amount of the AND-SO payment.
• The maximum amount of resources a client may have is:
  • $2,000 for an unmarried client.
  • $3,000 for a married client.
  • Examples: bank accounts, certificates of deposit, boats, motor homes, stocks and bonds, burial contracts or policies, secondary property, etc.

  AND-SO reimbursement

  • Through an agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), AND-SO benefits that are paid for the same months the applicant receives SSI are recovered. This process is called Interim Assistance Reimbursement or IAR.

  County role

  • Determines eligibility and processes applications for the program.
  • Enters and tracks cases in the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS).

  State role

  • Monitors and evaluates program performance.
  • Establishes statewide program policy in consultation with the State Board of Human Services and provides county departments with technical assistance, training, and consultation.

  Funding

  • The total appropriation for AND (both State Only and Colorado Supplement) in SFY 2024-25 is $13,394,238. $7,654,065 is from the General Fund and $5,470,173 is from Cash Funds.

  Burial Assistance Program

  The Burial Assistance Program provides payments to providers for burial and cremation services of low-income Coloradans. Burial benefits are used to cover reasonable and necessary costs for burial services.

  Program purpose

  • The burial assistance program provides payments to providers for burial and cremation services of low-income Coloradans.
  • Burial benefits are used to cover reasonable and necessary costs for burial services.
  • The maximum 2024 Burial grant is $1500.

  Eligibility

  • A person must have been receiving public assistance and/or medical assistance at the time of death.
  • Public assistance for the purposes of the burial benefit is Colorado Works (CW), Medicaid, and/or Adult Financial (AF) programs. AF programs include:
    • Old Age Pension (OAP)
    • Aid to the Needy Disabled State Only (AND-SO) or
    • AND Colorado Supplement (AND-CS)

    County role

    • Determines eligibility and processes applications for the program.
    • Enters and tracks cases in the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS).

    State role

    • Establishes statewide program policy in consultation with the State Board of Human Services and provides county departments with technical assistance, training, and consultation.
    • Regional Representatives monitor the program which assists in determining if training or process evaluation may be needed.

    Funding

    • The burial assistance program is funded through the Old Age Pension Burial Reimbursement appropriation of $105,015 cash funds and Aid to the Needy Disabled Burial Reimbursement appropriation of $508,000.

    Old Age Pension

    The Old Age Pension program, established in the State Constitution in 1937, provides cash benefits to eligible individuals aged 60 years and older.

    Program purpose

    • The Old Age Pension (OAP) program, established in the State Constitution in 1937, provides cash benefits to eligible individuals aged 60 years and older.
    • The total OAP grant standard is $981, effective January 1, 2024.

    Eligibility

    • Age 60 years and older.
    • Colorado resident.
    • Must pursue and accept all other potential income and resources that may be available.
    • All available income and resources are considered.
    • Income such as wages, Social Security Benefits (SSA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veteran’s Assistance, etc. may reduce the amount of the OAP payment.
    • The maximum amount of resources a client may have is:
      • $2,000 for an unmarried client.
      • $3,000 for a married client.
      • Examples: bank accounts, certificates of deposit, boats, motor homes, stocks and bonds, burial contracts or policies, secondary property, etc.

      County role

      • Determines eligibility and processes applications for the program.
      • Enters and tracks cases in the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS).

      State role

      • Monitors and evaluates program performance.
      • Establishes statewide program policy in consultation with the State Board of Human Services and provides county departments with technical assistance, training, and consultation.

      Funding

      • OAP is funded 100% by Colorado tax dollars (state sales, use, and excise taxes). The total appropriation for the 2024-25 state fiscal year is $78,905,051 from the OAP Cash Fund.

      Home Care Allowance

      The Home Care Allowance (HCA) program provides cash assistance to individuals 5 years of age and older with a disability to pay a home care provider. HCA is used to pay for services to help clients remain in their homes (such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and shopping). Services are provided by a home care provider.

      Program purpose

      • The Home Care Allowance (HCA) program provides cash assistance to individuals five (5) years of age and older with a disability to pay a home care provider.
      • HCA is used to pay for services to help clients remain in their homes (such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and shopping).
      • Services are provided by a home care provider.
      • There are three levels of payments, the maximum 2024 HCA grants are:
        • Tier 1 - $330.00
        • Tier 2 - $472.00
        • Tier 3 - $605.00

        Eligibility

        • Eligibility for HCA is based on financial need and functional capacity.
        • Financial eligibility is determined by the client’s income and resources.
          • To be financially eligible, the client must be:
            • approved for Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
            • meet all eligibility criteria for the Aid to the Needy Disabled – State Only (AND-SO) program or
            • have been receiving both Old Age Pension (OAP) and HCA as of 12/31/13 and remain continuously eligible for both benefits.

            Service providers

            • CMA’s are responsible for:
              • Case management duties.
              • Conducting functional assessments for HCBS and HCA to determine functional eligibility, and if eligible, the amount of assistance.
              • Developing and monitoring care plans.

              County role

              • Responsible for determining financial eligibility.
              • Retains case records.

              State role

              • Monitors and evaluates program performance.
              • Establishes statewide program policy in consultation with the State Board of Human Services.
              • Provides training, technical assistance, and consultation to county departments and the CMAs.

              Funding

              • The total appropriation for HCA is $2,017,171. $1,850,370 from the General Fund and $116,801 from Cash Funds. The State contributes 95% and the counties are required to fund the remaining 5%.

              Personal Needs Allowance

              The Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) program provides a cash payment to a client living in a facility. The payment is intended to cover hygiene and personal care costs not usually supplied by the provider.

              Program purpose

              • The Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) program provides a cash payment to a client living in a facility.
              • The payment is intended to cover hygiene and personal care costs not usually supplied by the provider.
              • The maximum 2024 PNA grant is $79 per month.

              Eligibility

              • Colorado resident.
              • Must be a United States or naturalized citizen, or an eligible legal permanent resident and be lawfully present.
              • Must meet OAP, AND-SO, AND-CS requirements and be a resident of a facility for 30 consecutive days.
              • Examples: bank accounts, certificates of deposit, boats, motor homes, stocks and bonds, burial contracts or policies, secondary property, etc.

              County role

              • Determines eligibility and processes applications for the program.
              • Enters and tracks cases in the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS).

              State role

              • Monitors and evaluates program performance.
              • Establishes statewide program policy in consultation with the State Board of Human Services and provides county departments with technical assistance, training, and consultation.

              Funding

              • PNA is billable under the Old Age Pension program and the Aid to the Needy Disabled Program.