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Food Assistance (FA), formerly known as Food Stamps, assists individuals or families with the costs of purchasing food. This program is a
supplement to a household’s nutritional needs for the month. Food Assistance is issued to an Electronic Benefit Transfer account
accessible by a Quest card, which works like a debit card.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for Food Assistance if you:
- work for low wages;
- are unemployed or work part-time;
- receive TANF or other public assistance;
- are elderly or disabled and live on a small income; or
- are homeless.
The following criteria are required for determining eligibility:
- Completed application (see below on how to apply)
- Completed face-to-face or phone interview
- Proof of monthly income
- Proof of household resources, if applicable
- I.D.
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of basic expenses:
- Rent/mortgage
- Child care costs or child support being paid
- Medical expenses if over 60 years of age or disabled (as defined by the Social Security Administration)
- Declaration of utility payments (phone, heat, electricity, trash, water)
Online Tool to Determine Eligibility:
Colorado PEAK at www.colorado.gov/peak is a free, easy to use online pre-screening tool that can help to determine if you may be eligible to receive Food Assistance, as well as apply for benefits or check the status of your current benefits.
Income Limits
Households have to meet the following income limits to be eligible for Food Assistance, unless all household members are receiving
Colorado Works or SSI benefits.
| Household Size |
Gross Monthly Income* |
| 1 |
$1,127 |
| 2 |
$1,517 |
| 3 |
$1,907 |
| 4 |
$2,297 |
5
|
$2,687 |
| 6 |
$3,077 |
| 7 |
$3,467 |
| 8 |
$3,857 |
| Each Additional Member |
+$390 |
If you are elderly, or a person who is receiving certain types of disability payments, you must meet the income guidelines
listed below.
| Household Size |
Gross Monthly Income |
| 1 |
$1,430 |
| 2 |
$1,925 |
| 3 |
$2,420 |
| 4 |
$2,915 |
| 5 |
$3,410 |
| 6 |
$3,905 |
| 7 |
$4,400 |
| 8 |
$4,895 |
| Each Additional Member |
+$495 |
*Gross income means a household’s total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made.
Resource Limits
- Households may have up to $2,000 in countable resources, which includes bank accounts.
- If a member of the household is 60 years of age or more, or a person with disability, countable resources increase to $3,000.
- Vehicles may be exempt or are counted as a resource using the countable market value over $4,650, or the equity value, whichever
is greater.
With some exceptions, able-bodied adults between 16 and 60 years of age must register for work, accept an offer of work and
take part in employment and training activities to receive Food Assistance.
How Do I Apply For Benefits?
There are several options available to you for filing an application for financial, medical or food assistance in Colorado.
Please review these Helpful Tips Before You Begin.
1. Online: Visit www.colorado.gov/peak to learn if you might be eligible for benefits and to apply online. (PEAK is a secure web site run by the State of Colorado,
and is available in English and Spanish.)
2. In-Person: Visit one of our Arapahoe County Human Services offices to apply at a computer kiosk. County workers are available to assist you. If you are unable to visit a County office because
of a disability, you may have another person apply and be interviewed on your behalf. You must designate that individual as
your authorized representative in writing.
3. Paper: Print an application using these links and fax, mail or deliver it in-person to one of our Arapahoe County Human Services
offices. Adobe Reader is required to view and print these applications. English Application | Spanish Solicitud de Asistencia Publica
Please contact our Customer Service hotline at (303) 636-1170 if you have questions.
Documents Needed to Apply
After submitting anapplication, a member of your household will need to participate in a face-to-face interview at one of our County office locationsand provide proof (verification) of the following information.
(The office interview may be waived if the household member is unable to go to the office because of age, medical reasons,
disability or other extenuating circumstances. If the office interview is waived, the local office will interview you by telephone
or do a home visit. A home visit must be scheduled beforehand with the household.)
Proof of identity, such as
- Driver’s License
- ID cards
- Birth certificate
Proof of address, unless you are homeless, such as
- Lease agreement
- Mortgage statement
- Utility bills (electric, gas, water or phone)
- Rent receipt
Social Security number for everyone you are applying for. If you don’t have a number you will have to apply for one;
Proof of gross income for all applicants' earned and unearned income before taxes or deductions, such as:
- Pay stubs for the past two months
- Wage statement from employer
- Benefit letter from Social Security
- Unemployment compensation
- Veteran’s Administration or pensions
Proof of shelter costs, such as:
- Rent receipt or mortgage statement
- Homeowners insurance policy
- Utility bills (telephone, gas, electric, oil and water bills)
Proof of all cash or non-cash assets, such as:
- Most recent savings and checking account statement
- Statements showing value of stocks, bonds or investment accounts;
Proof of immigration status for non-citizens who are applying for Food Assistance
Proof of child support payments you make (if desired for consideration), such as:
- Support order
- Separation agreement
- Child support records
Proof of out-of-pocket medical expenses if you are age 60 or older or receive federal disability benefits
- Doctor or hospital bills
- Prescription receipts
- Receipts for over-the-counter medical expenses if prescribed by a medical practitioner
- Transportation costs to get to medical care
Proof of child care expenses if you are working, looking for work or in training.
For More Information
For more information on the Food Assistance program, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Web site.
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