Benefits for seniors in Colorado

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Health First Colorado is run by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). Your county human services office decides who qualifies.

• Who qualifies: Older adults who get SSI or the Old Age Pension can usually get Health First Colorado. The income limit for these groups is the SSI amount, $994 a month for one person in 2026, or the OAP standard of $1,032.
• Savings limit: $2,000 for one person, or $3,000 for a couple. Your home and one car usually do not count.
• What it covers: Doctor visits, hospital care, medicine, equipment, and long-term care. If you have Medicare, it can pay costs Medicare does not.

Long-term care. Health First Colorado can pay for nursing home care, or care at home if you need that level of care. Income can be up to $2,982 a month. If your income is higher, you may still qualify with an income trust. Savings must be $2,000 or less. In a nursing home you keep $110.36 a month for personal needs. A spouse at home can keep up to $162,660 in savings and up to $4,066.50 a month in income. Home equity must be $1,130,000 or less.

Other health help.

• Old Age Pension Health and Medical Care Program: For people on OAP who do not qualify for Health First Colorado.
• Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors: For people 60 or older with income at or below 250% of the poverty level and no private dental insurance.

Estate recovery. After death, Colorado must seek repayment from the estate of people who were permanently in a nursing home or other institution, and for nursing home, home care and related hospital and drug costs paid after age 55. Some estates are exempt. Ask your county for the Estate Recovery Program brochure, or call 1-800-221-3943.

Help paying Medicare costs

Colorado has the standard Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). You must have Medicare Part A. Colorado uses the federal income limits.

• QMB: Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and copays. Income up to $1,350 a month for one person, or $1,824 for a couple.
• SLMB: Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,616 a month for one person, or $2,184 for a couple.
• QI-1: Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,816 a month for one person, or $2,455 for a couple. You cannot get QI-1 and full Health First Colorado together.

Savings limit: Higher than the federal one. In 2026 you can have up to $11,450 for one person or $17,910 for a couple, including burial money.

Some income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over. If you get any MSP, you also get Extra Help automatically.

Prescription drug help

Colorado has no state drug program for seniors in general. Apply for Extra Help. It lowers your Part D costs if your income is below 150% of the poverty level, about $23,940 a year for one person, and savings are under $18,090.

If you are living with HIV, the State Drug Assistance Program (run by the state health department, CDPHE) can help with Medicare drug premiums and copays. Income must be at or below 500% of the poverty level. Apply at coenroll.com.

Extra state payment with SSI

Colorado's main extra payment for older adults is the Old Age Pension (OAP), paid by the Colorado Department of Human Services through your county.

• Who qualifies: Residents 60 or older. You must apply for other income you can get, such as Social Security or SSI.
• How much: The OAP standard is $1,032 a month in 2026. Your other income is subtracted and OAP pays the difference.
• Savings limit: $2,000 if unmarried, or $3,000 if married.

People under 60 who get SSI because of a disability may get a different supplement called AND-CS.

Food help

Colorado calls food stamps SNAP. Benefits come on an EBT card.

• Rules for older adults: If someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, you only need to meet the net income limit (income after deductions). From October 2026 that is $1,330 a month for one person, or $1,804 for two. Medical costs you pay can be deducted, so keep receipts and your Medicare card.
• Benefit: Up to $306 a month for one person.
• How to apply: Online at co.gov/peak, with the MyCOBenefits app, or at your county human services office. SNAP line: 800-816-4451.
• Extra produce money: Double Up Food Bucks and the Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus (up to $60 a month) stretch SNAP for fruits and vegetables at some stores and markets.
• Everyday Eats: A free monthly food box for people 60 and older. Income must be under $1,995 a month for one person or $2,705 for two. Call 888-467-0418 to find a pickup site.
• Meals: Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you about senior meal sites and home-delivered meals.

Help staying at home

• Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver: For people 65 and older who need nursing home level care but want to live at home. Services include adult day care, caregiver respite, home changes, transportation and assisted living. Income and savings rules match long-term care above. There may be a waitlist.
• Community First Choice: A Health First Colorado benefit for personal care, homemaker help, home-delivered meals and emergency response buttons.
• How to start: If you have Health First Colorado, contact your local Case Management Agency. If not, apply first. Questions: 1-800-221-3943 (State Relay: 711).
• PACE: For people 55 and older who need nursing home level care but can live safely at home. Available in Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Pueblo, El Paso, Delta and Montrose counties.

Property tax and housing help

• Senior Property Tax Exemption: If you are 65 or older on January 1 and have owned and lived in your home for 10 years in a row, 50% of the first $200,000 of its value can be exempt, when the state budget allows. The 2026-27 state budget includes money for it. Surviving spouses can also qualify. Apply to your county assessor by July 15.
• Senior Primary Residence Classification: If you moved and lost your senior exemption, you may get it on your new home for tax years 2025 and 2026. Apply to your county assessor by March 15.
• Property Tax/Rent/Heat (PTC) Rebate: A yearly payment for full-year residents 65 or older (or surviving spouses 58 or older) who paid property tax, rent or heat. For the 2025 rebate, income must be below $19,094 if single or $25,788 if married. The rebate can be up to $1,178. File form DR 0104PTC by December 31, 2027. Filing in January or February gets the fastest payment. Call 303-238-7378.
• Property Tax Deferral: If you are 65 or older, the state can pay your property taxes and you repay later with interest, such as when the home is sold. Apply to your county treasurer between January 1 and April 1.

Help with energy bills

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps pay winter heating costs.

• Who qualifies: Income up to 60% of state median income. For 2026-2027 that is $3,774 a month for one person or $4,936 for two.
• When: November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
• How to apply: Online at co.gov/peak, by mail, or at your county office. Call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435). Call right away if your heat is about to be shut off.
• Other help: Weatherization lowers heating costs. The Crisis Intervention Program can help fix a broken furnace year-round.

Free help and counseling

• Colorado SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Run by the Colorado Division of Insurance with local partners around the state. Free, unbiased help with Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and comparing plans. Call 1-888-696-7213. Spanish: 1-866-665-9668.
• Senior Medicare Patrol: Help spotting Medicare fraud and billing errors. Call 1-800-503-5190.
• Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC): Free care planning and options counseling. Call 1-844-COL-ADRC (1-844-265-2372). The ADRC can connect you with your local Area Agency on Aging for meals, rides, caregiver support and legal help.
• County human services offices: Help with Health First Colorado, OAP, SNAP and LEAP. Find yours at cdhs.colorado.gov/contact-your-county. CDHS main line: 303-866-5700.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for