Helping Households in Need

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.

DHS Main Lobby Hours of Operation

Department of Human Services main lobby at the Citizens Service Center is open 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed on state holidays).

PEAK Virtual Assistance

The PEAK Chatbot is an automated customer service help desk available 24/7 for any PEAK user. To access the Chatbot, on the PEAK homepage, click “Chat Now” near the top of the page.

With the Chatbot, users can:

  • View Case ID, current month’s program status, PEAK application status, and State/Member ID
  • Get help with logging in and password resets
  • Get help viewing and printing a medical card
  • View instructions on how to make a payment
  • Get help cancelling benefits
  • Create a help desk ticket
  • Chat with a live agent Mon.–Fri., 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

PEAK Chatbot es un servicio automatizado de asistencia al cliente para todo usuario de PEAK, disponible 24 horas al día, los siete días de la semana en la página de inicio de PEAK.

Fraud Alert

EBT fraud is increasing. Fraudsters and scammers will try anything to obtain your EBT card number and PIN. Never share your PIN with anyone. Do not respond to unsolicited emails, texts, or calls asking for your EBT Card or PIN number. Legitimate EBT customer service workers will never ask for your PIN.

For more information and tips on protecting your information, visit the CDHS Protecting against EBT fraud and recovering stolen benefits page and watch the video (also available in Spanish).

Cardholders who suspect they are a victim of third-party fraud/electronic benefit theft must contact El Paso County DHS for more information. To request replacement of stolen benefits, they must fill out the SNAP Affidavit for Stolen Benefits (also available in Spanish) and return it to El Paso County DHS.

Don’t risk a gap in your health coverage!

  • Get ready to renew now!
  • Make sure we can reach you! Update your contact information and sign up for notifications in the Health First Colorado app and in your PEAK account.
  • Respond by the date in your letter – you’ll get this in the mail and by email.
  • Don’t forget to sign your renewal packet.
  • Turn in documentation in the way that works for you: Health First Colorado app, mail, online at www.co.gov/PEAK.

For more information visit https://healthfirstcolorado.com/renewals/ or read the informational flyer in English or Spanish.

Assistance is available by phone

  • Colorado SNAP Call Center – Toll-free: 1-800-816-4451 (English only); Clients can call into the automated system to gather information about their benefits, get their case status, and receive general SNAP updates.
  • General Information Customer Service Line: (719) 636-0000
  • Health First Colorado/Medicaid Customer Service Line: (719) 444-8200
  • Fraud Hotline:

Applications for assistance may be submitted online through the Colorado PEAK website, submitted in-person at the DHS lobby or other DHS sites, or mailed to El Paso County Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 2692, Colorado Springs, CO 80901.

Programs

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. To see if you qualify, complete this pre-screening tool on the Colorado PEAK website (Note: This tool is not an application for SNAP). 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/.

Other Resources

If you do not qualify for SNAP, there are other resources including:

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado is not distributing to individuals but is distributing food and food boxes to partner agencies. Click on FIND FOOD on the Care and Share website to find a pantry near you. Please call to confirm before visiting a site.

Colorado Works (TANF)

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. Cases may also be managed online and through the app. More information is posted to the state Colorado Works website.

To access services and learn more about how we can help please call our general information line at (719) 636-0000.

Additional resources:

Health First Colorado (Medicaid)

Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) provides medical benefits including inpatient and outpatient hospital, physician services, well child checks, immunizations, prescription drugs, 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.

More information about Health First Colorado, including a tool to find doctors and other providers, is online at HealthFirstColorado.com.

Visit HealthFirstColorado.com/apply-now for information on how to apply. If you are already a Health First Colorado or CHP+ member and you have questions about your case or renewing your coverage, please contact El Paso County Human Services at 719-444-8200. You may also contact El Paso County if you have questions about applying for benefits.

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is public low-cost health insurance for certain children and pregnant women. It is for people who earn too much to qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), but not enough to pay for private health insurance.

Child Care Assistance (CCCAP)

Effective Nov. 6, 2024: El Paso County implemented an CCCAP enrollment freeze for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). The freeze impacts all new applicants applying for CCCAP. Current CCCAP participants who continue to meet eligibility requirements are not impacted.

Families are encouraged to apply for CCCAP even with the freeze implementation so the County can track the need for child assistance in the region. The El Paso County CCCAP team will process Pre-Eligibility Enrollment Questionnaires in place of regular applications. Eligible families will be added to a list for when the freeze is lifted or transitioned to a waitlist. At this time, we do not know how long the freeze will be in place.

CCCAP is designed to provide 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 by calling 877-338-2273 or visiting 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 El Paso County, please call (719) 444-8178. The state has a website about CCCAP: https://cdec.colorado.gov/colorado-child-care-assistance-program-for-families.

Eligible Activities

  • Employment
  • High school or GED for teen parents
  • Max 24 month lifetime limit of post-secondary education training for a first Bachelor’s Degree or less
  • Max 12 month lifetime limit for job skills training, Adult GED or high school diploma, English as a second language, adult basic education, or other basic skills training
  • Job Search (up to 13 weeks)

NOTE: In a two-adult household, both adult caretakers must be in an eligible activity.

Applications may be completed online and submitted via the Colorado PEAK website, or mailed to: El Paso County Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 2692, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. Applications and documents may be submitted at the El Paso County Department of Human Services, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods, main lobby, during business hours.

CCCAP Application Materials:

Resources

Resources

Burial Assistance

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.

There are eligibility requirements. A person must have been receiving public assistance and/or medical assistance at the time of death.

Program applications can be picked up from the main DHS lobby on the first floor of the Citizens Service Center at 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs. CO 80907. Funeral homes can also submit paperwork for the program to DHS.

For more information, visit the state website and click on Burial Assistance Program, or call the El Paso County DHS General Information Customer Service Line at (719) 636-0000.

Non-Emergent Medical Transportation

Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) is a Health First Colorado benefit for members who don’t have transportation to medical appointments. More information about NEMT including a list of local providers is on the Health First Colorado website.

Transportation providers interested in this service can find more information on the state page: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/hcpf/non-emergent-medical-transportation.

Adult Financial, Adult Medical and Long Term Care Programs

Aid to Needy Disabled (AND) & Aid to Blind (AB)

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 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.

Additional information including eligibility is online at the state Adult Financial Programs website.

Applications for assistance may be submitted online through the Colorado PEAK website, submitted in-person at the DHS lobby or other DHS sites, or mailed to El Paso County Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 2692, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. The El Paso County general information Customer Service Line at (719) 636-0000 (business hours only) is an additional resource.

Old Age Pension (OAP)

The Old Age Pension (OAP) program provides cash assistance for low-income adults age 60 or older. Additional information including eligibility is online at the state Adult Financial Programs website.

Applications for assistance may be submitted online through the Colorado PEAK website, submitted in-person at the DHS lobby or other DHS sites, or mailed to El Paso County Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 2692, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. The El Paso County general information Customer Service Line at (719) 636-0000 (business hours only) is an additional resource.

The Old Age Pension (OAP) Health and Medical Care Program provides limited medical care for those receiving Old Age Pension, if they do not qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program).

Home Care Allowance (HCA)

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. Additional information including eligibility is online at the state Adult Financial Programs website. A Single Entry Point (SEP) agency will determine the functional capacity and need.

Applications for assistance may be submitted online through the Colorado PEAK website, submitted in-person at the DHS lobby or other DHS sites, or mailed to El Paso County Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 2692, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. The El Paso County general information Customer Service Line at (719) 636-0000 (business hours only) is an additional resource.

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. Additional information about Long-Term Services and Support Programs in online at https://hcpf.colorado.gov/long-term-services-and-supports-programs.

If you want to apply for long-term care benefits, contact the county’s case management agency or apply online at CO.gov/PEAK.

The case management agency for El Paso, Park and Teller counties is The Resource Exchange. TRE serves all waivers and can be reached at (719) 380-1100 or online at https://www.tre.org/.

Health First Colorado Buy-In

Health First Colorado Buy-In Programs help Coloradans with disabilities who earn too much to qualify for Health First Colorado. Buy-In program members pay a monthly premium based on their income. There are Buy-In programs for adults and children. Learn more about Buy-In online at hcpf.colorado.gov/health-first-colorado-buy-in-programs.

Visit HealthFirstColorado.com/apply-now for information on how to apply. If you have questions, please call the El Paso County Health First Colorado/Medicaid Customer Service Line at (719) 444-8200.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) help people with limited income and resources pay for some or all of their Medicare premiums and may also pay their Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. There are four Medicare Savings Programs, each with different income limits. For more information, visit hcpf.colorado.gov/medicare-savings-programs-msp.

For specific information related to El Paso County ongoing medical assistance cases, please call: (719) 444-8200.

Right to File for Food Assistance

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

EPC Nondiscrimination Notice – HCPF

Nondiscrimination Statement – SNAP

Notice of Reasonable Accommodation

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) Nondiscrimination Notice

El Paso County Department of Human Services Comprehensive Civil Rights Plan (The plan is posted in the DHS lobby. If you are unable to read the document online and need a verbal explanation, call Quality and Development Services Director/DHS Civil Rights Officer Asya Rozental at 719-444-5531.)

If you have additional customer concerns, visit the Quality Assurance page.