The Colorado Food Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, provides benefits to low-income families so that they can buy food items and groceries. The program focuses on good health and nutrition and achieves it by providing various benefits to qualifying families and individuals.

Students may or may not get qualified for Colorado Food Assistance Program. Students will have to meet all the eligibility criteria set for regular food stamp applicants in addition to meeting additional requirements such as work for 20 hours a week, take part in a work study program, and get public assistance benefits. Students taking care of a dependent child under the age of 6 will also become qualified for the benefits.

Beneficiaries of the Colorado Food Stamps Program will have to participate in Employment First Program to continue receiving Food Assistance benefits, except for the ones having federal exemption from work. The individuals receiving benefits from Food Assistance Program will have to participate in activities under the Employment First program. Such activities include vocational training, job research classes, GED preparation, workfare, education, and part time work.

When you become a beneficiary, you will receive a card. You can purchase all kinds of permitted items using this card. Permitted items include breads, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fish, meat, and plants that can be produce food for the household. Beneficiaries are not allowed to purchase any cosmetics, medicines, hot foods, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, wine, and few other types of items.

Colorado Food Assistance Program provides Colorado Quest Card to program beneficiaries. Card holders will be able to set a PIN for their card. This Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card can be used at different stores across the country. Beneficiaries will receive their monthly benefits in the card through EBT on one of the first 10 days of the month. The exact date on which a beneficiary receives payment in the card depends on his Social Security Number. The last digit of the number is the day you will receive your benefits. For instance, if your Social Security Number ends at 3, you will receive benefits on 3rd of each month. For numbers ending at 0, the benefits will be transferred on 10th of each month.

You can apply for the Colorado Food Assistance Program by simply going to PEAK website. The online application is an easy way to apply. However, if you want to apply in person, you can visit your county office of Department of Human Services and fill and application there. You can also download application form from internet and send the completed application to Food Assistance Program to apply.

When you apply, you will have to provide identity and income verification. An agent will determine your eligibility for the program before providing you with an interview date. You will also have to provide any other documents that may be necessary to provide your eligibility for the program.

Eligibility Requirements

Colorado Food Assistance Program focuses on low income families living in state of Colorado. To enroll in the program, following requirements have to be met.

• Applicant should be resident of Colorado
• Applicant should be a U.S citizen, a permanent resident, or a qualified alien
• Social Security Numbers for all household members should be provided

Income Eligibility

Apart from general eligibility criteria for the program, applicants will also need to have income within limits defined by the program.

Income eligibility is determined using gross monthly income and household size. There is a maximum income limit for specific household size. You can see whether you qualify or not by comparing your income against the income limit provided by the program. Please see the income limitation table at the following site linked here, under the "Who is eligible for SNAP" tab.

In case all the members in the household are receiving SSI or other public assistance, income limits will not apply.

Work Eligibility

All the adult applicants for the program should agree to take part in employment training programs and work. However, applicants exempted from work due to mental/physical disability or age will not have to meet this requirement.

The Colorado Food Assistance Program will require qualified applicants to enroll in Employment First Program. This employment program provides opportunity to families to become self-sufficient through workfare, education, GED, vocational training, and job research classes. The program will also include part-time work for enrollees.

Check your eligibility through PEAK online assistance tool.

Food Stamps Application Instructions

When you want to apply for Colorado Food Assistance Program, you will have three options

Apply online: You can apply online using PEAK website. When you are at the website, you will not just be able to apply for the program but you can also try out their online eligibility tool to see whether you qualify or not. You will also be able to come back to the website to track your application status.

PEAK Online Tool

If you are visiting PEAK website for the first time, you will need to create an account first. If you already have an account, just login and you will be able to complete the application.

Apply in Person: Locate your County Department of Human Services office and apply in person there. You will be asked to fill out an application form and provide various supporting documents. Once you submit required items, you will get a date for interview after you have been determined eligible.

Apply through mail: You can also apply through mail. However, you will need to download application before you proceed. Use this link to download the form and fill out the SNAP related questions.

Once you have downloaded the application, fill it and send it to your local county the address: County Department of Human Services. If you need further assistance please call: 855-855-4626.