Resources for Non-medical Financial Assistance - Federal and State Agencies
Resources listed alphabetically

If you would like Sense of Security to help you identify which of these programs you might qualify for, you need to use FAST™, our online filtering system that will help guide you to aid programs based on your response to 10 key, anonymous questions. Click here to go to the FAST™ program.

The resources listed below are generally for Colorado state residents, some are for specific geographic regions within Colorado. Some resources are nationwide.

Resources for Non-medical Financial Assistance - community organizations

Resources for Medical Care

Organizations Outside Colorado Providing Financial Resources

Aid to the Needy and Disabled (AND)
303-866-2800; 303-866-2850 TTY
Financial assistance is provided to persons with disabilities who meet eligibility criteria. Also see Colorado Department of Human Services below.

Colorado Department of Human Services
303-866-5700
Statewide agency devoted to providing human service programs including, but not limited to, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), Aid to the Needy and Disabled (AND), Old-Age Pension (OAP), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Lifeline, and Colorado Works - Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF). Click here for a list of County Departments of Social Services to access information for the county in which you reside.

Colorado Works - Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)
303-866-5981; 303-866-6293 TTY
Colorado Works is a welfare-to-work program paying a monthly stipend for someone seeking to return to the workforce. You must contact your county office of human services to apply for TANF. The telephone numbers provided are for the Colorado Department of Human Services. Also see Colorado Department of Human Services above.

Congregate Nutrition Services Program
303-866-2800; TDD 303-866-2850
This Colorado Department of Human Services program provides meals to persons aged 60 and over in a congregate (group) setting to assure a nutritionally balanced diet and to provide opportunity for socialization for older adults. Participants receive services through local providers of service and Area Agencies on Aging.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
888-467-0418
TEFAP provides food assistance to needy people through the distribution of USDA commodities. Under TEFAP, commodity foods are made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to states for distribution to households for use in preparing meals for home consumption, or to organizations that prepare and provide meals for needy people. Foods are distributed free, but recipients of food for home use must meet program eligibility criteria set by the state of Colorado. Contact the Department of Human Services at telephone number provided to enroll. Also see Colorado Department of Human Services above.

Food Stamp Program
The food stamp program helps low-income people buy the food they need to meet their nutritional needs. Although it is a federal government program, it is run by state or local agencies. Food stamp applications are available at any Social Security office. To find your local Social Security office, click here.

For additional information on the Food Stamp program, visit the Food Nutrition Service's web site FOR A VERY HELPFUL TOOL that features an online prescreening tool to help you determine if you would be eligible for Food Stamps. Click here to link directly to the FNS web site. You can also click here for a PDF of the Food Stamp application for Colorado.

GovBenefits
A web site that informs individuals about whether they may qualify for some federal benefit programs, including health insurance programs. Provides links to 55 federal programs and expansion will cover 300 programs eventually.

In-home Nutrition Services Program
303-866-2800; TDD 303-866-2850
This Colorado Department of Human Services program provides meals to persons age 60 and over in a home setting for those unable to leave the home to assure a nutritionally balanced diet and care in home. Participants receive services through local providers of service and Area Agencies on Aging.

In-home Services Program
303-866-2800; TDD 303-866-2850
This Colorado Department of Human Services program provides a variety of services to persons who are aged 60 and over who are in need of assistance with daily activities of living primarily because of functional impairments [In general, these persons do not qualify for Medicaid funded long term care programs]. Participants receive services through local providers of services and Area Agencies on Aging.

Lifeline (The Telephone Assistance Program)
800-782-0721
Lifeline, a program of the Colorado Department of Human Services, pays a portion of a monthly phone bill for eligible individuals. You may be eligible for a discount from your local telephone company on your basic phone service if you currently receive: Old Age Pension benefits, Aid to the Needy and Disabled, or Supplemental Security Income. Also see Colorado Department of Human Services above.

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
800-782-0721
LEAP is a state program that assists Colorado's low- income families with heating their homes from November 1 - April 30 of each year. LEAP will provide home heating assistance to needy households in Colorado that are at or below the 185 percent level of the federal poverty index. Household income limits can be found at the link above. Application forms are located at all County Social Services Departments or call the toll free number to have an application mailed. Once an application has been approved for LEAP, the local utility company is contacted and payment is forwarded to them. Also see Colorado Department of Human Services above.
Click here for an information sheet about the LEAP program (PDF file).
Click here for an application for LEAP (PDF file).

Old Age Pension (OAP)
303-866-2800; 303-866-2850 TTY
OAP is a state-funded program providing basic retirement income and State only modified medical health or Medicaid. Also see Colorado Department of Human Services above.

Section 8
202-708-1112; 202-708-1455 TTY
Managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Section 8 program allows very low-income families to choose and lease or purchase safe, decent, and affordable privately-owned rental housing.

Social Security Administration
800-772-1213; 800-325-0778 TTY
The Social Security Administration is a federal program that pays benefits under two programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Links directly to these programs are provided on this page.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
800-772-1213
SSDI pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured" meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
800-772-1213
SSI is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income and it provides cash to meet basic financial needs for food, clothing and shelter.

Unemployment Insurance - State of Colorado
Metro Denver, 303-318-9000
Other areas including outside Colorado, 1-800-388-5515
(TDD) 303-318-9016 or 1-800-894-7730
Unemployment insurance provides temporary and partial wage replacement to workers who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. The program is funded by employer-paid taxes and provides benefits to those who meet the eligibility requirements of the Colorado Employment Security Act. The intent of the program is to aid in maintaining economic stability within a community by safeguarding the income and purchasing power of unemployed workers. The Division of Employment and Training within the Department of Labor and Employment administers the program. APPLY ONLINE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BY CLICKING HERE.

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