Cash Assistance

Colorado Works, Colorado's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, provides public assistance to families in need. Under Colorado Works, applicants who are either pregnant or have at least one child, and who meet other eligibility requirements, can receive monthly basic cash assistance payments, help with emergency household expenses, and/or services such as counseling and job training. All aspects of the Colorado Works Program are designed to assist customers in becoming self-sufficient and terminating their dependence on government benefits.

To be eligible for Colorado Works, the applicant must meet federal, state, and county resource and income standards. Households must also have at least one dependent child under the age of 18, and have primary (more than 50%) custody of that child. If you have a child with an absent parent you will be required to apply for child support.

Check if you may be eligible by using the free, quick, and easy Program Eligibility Application Kit (PEAK) tool.

Pick up an application from our office, call to have one mailed to you, or apply online. Bring the completed application for assistance and all required documents into our office. Applications cannot be processed without all required documents, which include:

• Proof of identity (driver's license, ID card, resident card, U.S. passport, etc.)

• Social Security numbers for all household members

• Proof of any income (pay stubs, letter from employer, etc.)

• Proof of any non-work income (unemployment, child support payments, etc.)

• Proof of any expenses (child care, child support paid, etc.)

• Proof of pregnancy, if applicable

Colorado Works applications will be processed within 45 days from the date our office receives your completed application and all required documents.

Energy Assistance

The Low Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is designed to help low-income households with home heating costs. LEAP assists in a portion of heating costs; it is not intended to cover the entire cost of home heating. The program runs from November 1st through April 30th only.

Income guidelines vary. Please contact Custer County Human Services for more information by calling 719-783-2371.

Pick up an application from our office, call to have one mailed to you, or apply online. Bring the completed application for assistance and all required documents into our office. Applications cannot be processed without all required documents, which include:

• Proof of identity (driver's license, ID card, resident card, U.S. passport, etc.)

• Proof of any income (pay stubs, verification of Social Security income, benefits, pensions, etc.)

• Current heating/propane bill

• Copy of your lease or mortgage statement

LEAP applications will be processed within 30 days from the date our office receives your completed application and all required documents.

Year-round heating assistance: For information regarding year-round assistance with heating fuel bills please contact HEAT HELP at 1-866-432-8435.

Child Care

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) provides financial assistance to low-income families who are working, searching for employment, or in employment training. Families enrolled in the Colorado Works Program / Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and need child care services to support their efforts toward self-sufficiency are also eligible.

Eligible families fall within 225% of the federal poverty guidelines. Contact the office to see if you are eligible.

Pick up an application from our office, call to have one mailed to you, or apply online. Bring the completed application for assistance and all required documents into our office. Applications cannot be processed without all required documents, which include:

• Social Security cards for all household members

• Proof of any income (pay stubs, letter from employer, etc.)

• Birth certificates for children

• Proof of residence in Custer County (lease, utility bill, etc.)

• Proof of child immunizations

CCCAP applications will be processed within 14 days from the date our office receives your completed application and all required documents.

Disability Support

The Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) program provides cash assistance to low-income Colorado residents, age 18 to 59, who have at least a six-month total disability that precludes them from working. The goal of the program is to provide interim financial assistance while waiting for approval of supplemental security income (SSI). The AND program provides financial benefits up to $189 per month. Any other income such as wages, Social Security benefits (SSA), SSI, veteran's assistance, etc. may reduce the amount of the AND payment.

Applicants must be between 18 and 59 years old to qualify for the AND program. An AND applicant/recipient may have countable resources up to a maximum of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a married couple. Examples of resources are: cash (not spent in the month you receive it), checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposits, vehicles, boats, motor homes, stocks and bonds, life insurance, burial contracts or policies, secondary property, etc. Additionally, you will need to provide a doctor's form verifying that your disability precludes you from working any job.

Pick up an application from our office, call to have one mailed to you, or apply online. Bring the completed application for assistance and all required documents into our office. Applications cannot be processed without all required documents, which include:

• Proof of identity (driver's license, ID card, resident card, U.S. passport, etc.)

• Social Security card for each individual applying

• Proof of disability (verification from your doctor)

• Applicants need to also apply for SSI

AND applications will be processed within 60 days from the date our office receives your completed application and all required documents.

Visit the Social Security website for information, instructions, and applications for SSI.

Disability Support

The Aid to the Blind (AB) program provides cash assisstance to low-income Colorado residents who are under age 60 and who have at least a six-month total disability that precludes them from working. The goal of the program is to provide interim financial assistance while waiting for approval of supplemental security income (SSI). The AB program provides financial benefits up to $189 per month. Any other income such as wages, Social Security benefits (SSA), SSI, veteran's assistance, etc. may reduce the amount of the AB payment.

Applicants must be under the age of 60. Applicants may have countable resources up to a maximum of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a married couple. Examples of resources are: cash (not spent in the month you receive it), checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposits, vehicles, boats, motor homes, stocks and bonds, life insurance, burial contracts or policies, secondary property, etc. Additionally, applicants must have less than a 10% visual acuity in the better eye with corrections or not more than 20/200 central vision acuity in the better eye with correction.

Pick up an application from our office, call to have one mailed to you, or apply online. Bring the completed application for assistance and all required documents into our office. Applications cannot be processed without all required documents, which include:

• Proof of identity (driver's license, ID card, resident card, U.S. passport, etc.)

• Social Security card

• Applicants need to also apply for SSI

AB applications will be processed within 60 days from the date our office receives your completed application and all required documents.

Visit the Social Security website for information, instructions, and applications for SSI.