Colorado Food Assistance Approval

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How Colorado Food Assistance Office Determines Eligibility?

The Food Assistance Office has to interview you and verify the provided information before determining if the household is eligible for Food Assistance Benefits. Colorado Department of Human Services lists examples of information that may be needed at the interview for Colorado Food Assistance approval:

Proof of Identity:

• Driver’s License
• ID Card
• Birth Certificate

Proof of Residence:

• Rental Agreement
• Mortgage Statement
• Driver’s License
• Rent Receipt
• Utility Bill (telephone, electric, gas, oil, garbage, water

Proof of Immigration Status of Non-Citizens

• Proof of Monthly Income (All applying for food stamps)
• Paycheck Stubs – for the last 30 days
• Benefits Letters from SSI or VA
• Unemployment Insurance Check Stubs
• Pension Information

Proof of Out-of-pocket Child Care Expense

• Canceled Checks
• Bill
• Receipt

Proof of Monthly Shelter Costs

• Lease or Mortgage Payment Book
• Homeowner’s Insurance Bills
• Proof of Property Taxes
• Proof of all Utilities

Proof of Monthly Out-of-pocket Medical Expenses for

• Elderly
• Disabled

Social Security Numbers (for all applying for food stamps)

This is not a complete list and depending on the case the Food Assistance Worker may request additional types of proof and application supporting documents to complete the Colorado Food Assistance approval.

The Colorado Food Assistance approval process and the Food Assistance program have special rules for elderly or disabled applicants and beneficiaries.

The law limits the Food Assistance Benefits to 3 months in a 3-year period for all able-bodied adults between the ages of 18-50 without dependents, who are not working or participating in a work program for at least 20 hours each week.

In Colorado, this is the Employment First Program. It is a mandatory employment and training program for all able-bodied adults in households getting Colorado SNAP benefits. It is a federal requirement that participants who are identified as “able-bodied adults without dependents” must complete 20 hours each week in order to receive more than three months of food assistance in a 36-month.

To operate the SNAP Employment and Training Program the Colorado Department of Human Services contracts with participating adult education centers, public schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. Employment First Program activities include basic education, GED preparation, vocational training and rehabilitation, job search classes and part-time work. Through its employment-related services, the Employment First Program provides eligible participants with the opportunity to engage in employment activities, get the work experience and find a job that will help them transition to economic independence.

Food Assistance recipients in Colorado can be exempted from work requirement provision if they are:

• Under 18 or 50 years of age or older;
• Responsible for the care of a child or incapacitated household member;
• Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment or pregnant;
• Student at least half-time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education;
• Participating and complying with work registration requirements of Employment First Program;
• Participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program.

Applicants for Food Assistance in Colorado should get a response within 30 days from the date they submitted their application to the local Food Assistance Office. Households cannot receive food stamps assistance from more than one Colorado county in a month. Households getting food stamps benefits must report any changes in their household situation in a 6-months period in order to assure their participation in the Food Assistance Program.

Approved! When and How Do I Get the Food Assistance Benefits?

Colorado Food Assistance Program provides the SNAP benefits via the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system. The monetary benefits of the Colorado SNAP are transferred to the accounts of qualified beneficiaries and are accessible through Colorado Quest Card. The Food Assistance Benefits are deposited into the recipients’ accounts between the 1st and 10th day of the month. The last number the benefit recipient’s social security is the day of the month the benefits will be deposited into their Colorado Quest Card each month. Food assistance benefits are deposited into an EBT account of the beneficiary each month following the Benefit Issuance Schedule.

Benefits are made available from the 1st to the 10th of every month, based on the last digit of the recipient’s Social Security Number (SSN). If the:

SSN ends in 1 = benefits available on the 1st of the month
SSN ends in 2 = benefits available on the 2nd of the month
SSN ends in 3 = benefits available on the 3rd of the month
SSN ends in 4 = benefits available on the 4th of the month
SSN ends in 5 = benefits available on the 5th of the month
SSN ends in 6 = benefits available on the 6th of the month
SSN ends in 7 = benefits available on the 7th of the month
SSN ends in 8 = benefits available on the 8th of the month
SSN ends in 9 = benefits available on the 9th of the month
SSN ends in 0 = benefits available on the 10th of the month

If you have any question regarding your EBT Account or EBT Card call Colorado EBT Customer Service: 1-888-328-2656

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