Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families -TANF) is a temporary assistance program for residents of Colorado. The families with single parent or two-parent can receive benefits if they qualify. Similarly, pregnant women will also receive financial aid through the program after they have qualified for the program. The program has only one objective i.e. to help families become self-sufficient.

The program provides cash aid and employment assistance for the needy families. The program ensures that parents contribute to the program by participating in training workshops and by securing employment after they have trained for it. Along with the employment training and services, the program also provides monthly cash aid and helps qualified families with household expenses.

The recipients of the benefits will only be available to receive them for a maximum period of 60 months. For every month a recipient receives assistance through Colorado Works program, it counts towards the total 60 months period. Once an individual has received aid for 60 months throughout their lifetime, there will be no more aid available for such individuals.

The recipients of the program have to commit to work and training programs. All the adults in the household will have to participate in work-related activity, except for those who have exemption based on their age or disability. Program beneficiaries will also have to participate in work related activities such as training, employment preparation, interview skills and job search skills.

The program also provides emergency assistance to needy families. This emergency assistance is provided in form of one-time payment. The applicants applying for emergency assistance will receive payment based on their needs and financial situation.

In order to receive emergency assistance, employment must be verified in addition to other requirements that applicants may have to meet. One-time payment through Colorado Works program depends on the availability of funds.

You can easily apply for the program using online form at PEAK website. If you are looking to apply through mail, you will be required to download application forms, complete them, and then send to your local county office. You will also be able to apply in person by visiting your local county office.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be enrolled in Colorado Works program, one has to meet certain eligibility requirements. Without meeting these requirements, individuals will not be able to receive any benefits.

Applicants must also be legal citizens or meet the required immigration guidelines. Children born to mothers enrolled in the AIM program are also accommodated in this program. Minors and their siblings without parents qualify on their own; however, guardians and foster parents of such children are exempted from the income guidelines.

• Must be a U.S citizen, permanent resident, or a qualified alien
• Must be a resident of state of Colorado
• Meet the income guidelines set for the program
• Meet the resources limit set by the program. The resources that would count include bank accounts, bonds, real estate, stocks and insurance compensation.
• Haven't received aid for full 60 months in the lifetime through Colorado Works program.

The aid is available to the following people:

• Pregnant women
• Single and two-parent families responsible for children under 19 years of age
• Caretaker relatives responsible for dependent children

You will have to make sure that you are providing proof of following along with your application so that your eligibility can be judged:

• Proof of your identity
• Proof of your income
• Proof of your residence
• Colorado ID and Social Security Number
• Signed affidavit for applicants above 18 years of age

Work-Related Requirements

Applicants will also have to agree to participate in the work-related services offered through the program. These activities may include technical and vocational education, preparation for GED, employment training, job interview skills, and part-time work. The program also trains beneficiaries to prepare for work through comprehensive job training courses. Since the program wants to provide an opportunity to families to become financially independent, it requires all the adults in the household to agree to work-related requirements. However, those exempted by the federal government from work due to age or disability can receive the benefits without having to work.

If an adult is receiving SSI, he or she will not have to participate in the work activity, despite the fact that such adult is living in a household receiving Colorado Works benefits.

Similarly, caretaker relatives responsible for minor children but not receiving aid for themselves through the Colorado Works program will not have to participate in the work-related activities.

PEAK Eligibility Tool

You can also check your eligibility online using PEAK eligibility tool. The tool will help you determine your eligibility for Colorado Works and various other programs after you provide necessary information. It will take just a few minutes. Before you apply for the program, it is recommended that you use the tool to see whether you qualify for the program or not.

TANF Application Instructions

In order to apply for Colorado Works, you will be required to submit a completed application to county office. Here is how you can apply for the program:

Apply Online: To apply online for Colorado Works, you can go to PEAK website and complete an online application there. PEAK provides easy way to apply for benefits in Colorado. You can also apply for number of other benefits through the website.

You will also be able to track your application status and check out the benefits that you qualify through the website. Just login and you will be taken to the page where you will have all these tools available.

Apply in Person: You can also apply in person for the Colorado Works program. All you have to do is to visit your local county office, fill out the application and hand it over to an agent at the office. You will also be required to submit different documents along with your application for proving your identity, income and residence.

You can locate your nearest county office using this office locator tool.

Apply through Mail: You can also apply through mail for the Colorado Works (TANF) program. Contact your county services office here for more information about mailing in an application.

Colorado TANF Office

Department of Human Services
Division of Colorado Works
1575 Sherman Street, 3rd Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203-1714