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Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

  • The Basics
  • Help Moving Into the Community
  • Help Staying in the Community
  • Support for Working
  • Example
  • FAQs
  • Pitfalls
  • Next Steps

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    updated March 28, 2025
    Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

    The Basics

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    Colorado has programs to help people with disabilities live well and work in the community. These Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) programs can help you live in the community instead of in a nursing home or other institution.

    If you live in a nursing home or other facility, or your disability is recent and you are deciding what to do when you leave the hospital, Transition Services and Transition Coordination can help you move to your own home in the community.

    Once you are in the community, Health First Colorado (Medicaid) has services that may help you keep living in your home. These Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are for people with disabilities that need supports at a level usually provided in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities. You may be eligible for them, depending on your type of disability and level of need. Learn more about programs and services that help you keep living in the community.

    Nonprofits and community organizations can be fantastic resources as you transition to living in the community. You can contact them on your own or team up with a Case Manager or Service Coordinator. Learn more about nonprofits and community organizations.

    If you live in the community, having a job and making more money is a great idea. Nonprofits and community organizations can help you find a job and be successful. If you get Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and are worried you’ll lose your coverage because of work, the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In) can help you. Learn more about help finding and keeping work.

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    Learn more

    HCBS Waiver Programs

    Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs help people with disabilities live in the community.

    How Health Benefits Work

    Learn about the different ways you may be able to get health coverage.

    Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

    SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.

    Long-Term Services and Supports ProgramsHelp Moving Into the Community
    OpenClose
    The BasicsHelp Moving Into the CommunityHelp Staying in the CommunitySupport for WorkingExampleFAQsPitfallsNext Steps

    Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

    • The Basics
    • Help Moving Into the Community
    • Help Staying in the Community
    • Support for Working
    • Example
    • FAQs
    • Pitfalls
    • Next Steps

    Try It

      Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

      Help Moving Into the Community

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      Many people with disabilities who live in long-term care facilities or other institutional settings would like to live in the community. Other people who have just been diagnosed with a disability or had a serious medical event and are in the hospital usually want to return to the community as soon as possible.

      If you are in a situation like this and want to move from a hospital or institution to a home in the community, check out Transition Services and Transition Coordination. They can help you:

      • Decide which community-based setting is possible and the right choice for you
      • Coordinate your move out of an institution and into the community
      • Connect with community-based supports, services, and training
      • Sign up for waivers to get Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
      • Find your housing options and choose the best one for you

      Who Qualifies?

      Transition Services and Transition Coordination may help you if you:

      • Have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage
      • Are 18 years old or older
      • Qualify for one or more of Colorado’s six adult waiver programs
      • Are moving from an institutional setting to a home and community-based setting, or have a change in life circumstance where you may need Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

      If you don’t have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage, you can apply through Colorado PEAK, by contacting your local county human services department, or by calling 1-800-221-3943.

      How can I get started with Transition Services and Transition Coordination?

      To apply for Transition Services and Transition Coordination:

      1. If you don’t have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage, you need to apply through Colorado PEAK or by contacting your local county human services department. Note: If you have a job, you can earn up to $141,870 per year and still get coverage through the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In). Learn more in DB101’s Medicaid Adult Buy-In article.
      2. Contact your Local Contact Agency for Options Counseling or get a referral to it. Referrals can be made by long-term care facility staff, family members, friends, or community members. The Options Counseling staff will guide you through the application process and help get you started with your Transition Services and Transition Coordination.
      3. Apply for one of Colorado’s adult waiver programs:
        • Brain Injury Waiver (BI)

        • Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS)

        • Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD)

        • Complimentary and Integrative Health Waiver (CHI)
        • Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver (EBD)

        • Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)

      Note: If you already get Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and have a Case Manager, you can ask them about Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and they can help you apply.

      Learn more about waiver programs in DB101’s HCBS Waivers article.

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      Learn more

      HCBS Waiver Programs

      Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs help people with disabilities live in the community.

      How Health Benefits Work

      Learn about the different ways you may be able to get health coverage.

      Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

      SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.

      Long-Term Services and Supports ProgramsHelp Staying in the Community
      OpenClose
      The BasicsHelp Moving Into the CommunityHelp Staying in the CommunitySupport for WorkingExampleFAQsPitfallsNext Steps

      Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

      • The Basics
      • Help Moving Into the Community
      • Help Staying in the Community
      • Support for Working
      • Example
      • FAQs
      • Pitfalls
      • Next Steps

      Try It

        Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

        Help Staying in the Community

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        Cash benefits, health coverage, personal care attendants, adaptive transportation, and other programs and services can help you live successfully and independently in the community. This section introduces some of these and shows how they can help.

        Cash Benefits

        Money is a key for being able to live on your own in the community. Money pays for rent, food, and the other things you need. When you live in a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home, they usually take care of your budget. But when you live in the community, you need to manage your own money or get somebody who can help you manage it.

        If you qualify, cash benefits are monthly payments from government programs that can help you pay for your needs. Social Security runs two of the two major cash benefits programs for people with disabilities:

        • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) gives monthly payments to people with disabilities who have low income and low resources. You do not need to have worked in the past to get SSI. Learn more in DB101’s SSI article.
        • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) gives monthly payments to people with disabilities who qualify because they used to work. Learn more in DB101’s SSDI article.

        Health Coverage

        Health coverage is another key to living in the community. Here are a few ways you might qualify for coverage:

        • If you get SSDI, you also get Medicare coverage after you’ve been getting SSDI for a couple of years. You may also qualify for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) depending on your disability, living situation, income, and resources. Learn more about Medicare in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.
        • If you get SSI, you automatically get Health First Colorado (Medicaid). Learn more about Health First Colorado (Medicaid) in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.
        • If you have a disability and work, you can earn up to $141,870 per year and still get coverage through the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In). Learn more in DB101’s Medicaid Adult Buy-In article.
        In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

        If you have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage, you may also be able to get In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), which pays for personal care attendants to help with daily routines and needs. Personal care attendants can help you with things you can’t do on your own, such as help with transfers, dressing and undressing, bathing, bathroom care, cooking, cleaning, and other approved services. The help from an attendant can help you live in your home instead of a nursing home or other long-term care facility.

        Long-Term Services and Supports

        Colorado has 10 waiver programs for people with disabilities who could be at risk of living in an institution due to their level of care. Six are for adults and four are for children. They offer extra Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) that go beyond the regular Health First Colorado (Medicaid) benefits, including things like assistive technology, mentoring, case management, non-medical transportation, mental health counseling, supported employment services, and homemaker services.

        The six adult waivers are:

        • Brain Injury Waiver (BI)
        • Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS)
        • Complimentary and Integrative Health Waiver (CIH)
        • Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD)
        • Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver (EBD), and
        • Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS).

        Learn more about the adult waivers in DB101’s HCBS Waivers article.

        The four children’s waivers are:

        • Children with Life Limiting Illness Waiver (CLLI)
        • Children’s Extensive Support Waiver (CES)
        • Children’s Habilitation Residential Program Waiver (CHRP), and
        • Children’s Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (CHCBS).

        Learn more about the children’s waivers in DB101’s HCBS Waivers article.

        Each waiver program offers a slightly different set of services and supports. Get more information in DB101’s HCBS Waivers article, including who qualifies, how to apply, and more details about the services each program includes.

        Long-term services and supports for veterans

        The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers additional benefits to U.S. military veterans. If you are a veteran in Colorado, you may qualify for long-term services and supports through either the VA Western Colorado Health Care System or the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, depending on where you live. These VA services may include things like transportation assistance, medical services, housing services, and more. For more information, call the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System at 1-303-399-8020 or the VA Western Colorado Healthcare System at 1-970-242-0731.

        Nonprofits and Community Organizations

        Nonprofits and community organizations can give you advice and support to live independently in the community. Centers for Independent Living, The Arc, The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, and Brothers Redevelopment are some of the organizations that can help.

        Centers for Independent Living

        Centers for Independent Living (CILs) offer advice, guidance, and services to help you live independently in the community. Their services can include:

        • Independent living assistance, where staff gives you advice on what government services can help you live independently, how to apply, how to manage your personal life to stay independent, and how to connect with service providers in your area. You may also get access to free computers and internet so that you can connect to online services, websites and applications.
        • Housing assistance to help you find the right kind of housing, including accessible housing, and to apply to rent or own the home. CILs can also help you apply for affordable housing programs, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers that help you pay rent.
        • American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services, where CILs connect you with trained interpreters to help at events you attend or at work.
        • Technology services to explore what types of assistive technology can help you live independently. Many CILs have “technology labs” where you can try different products and learn how to use them. You might also be able to rent or borrow technology, depending on your local CIL.
        • Support groups and mentorship let you share your concerns and learn from other people with disabilities on how to stay as happy and healthy as possible.
        • Youth support to help children with disabilities live in the community. This can help keep families together and support youth as they prepare to live independently as adults.
        • Transition services to provide advice and guidance with moving out of an institution or long-term care facility and into the community.

        Find your local Center for Independent Living.

        The Arc of Colorado

        The Arc of Colorado offers services, supports, and activities that help people with developmental disabilities (DD) live in the community. To get help, contact a local Arc chapter.

        Arc chapters offer things like:

        • Self-advocacy training for your general life or a specific problem that comes up (such as housing or job discrimination).
        • Regular group meetings for peer support, fun activities, and more ideas for successful community living.
        • Trainings for organizations and the broader community so the public can better understand the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

        The Arc of Colorado has more resources, including videos and links to other helpful organizations, in their Self-Advocacy section. They also have resources for families that have a member with an intellectual or developmental disability.

        Brothers Redevelopment

        Brothers Redevelopment offers affordable, safe, and accessible housing for people who have low income and have disabilities or are elderly.

        Brothers operates apartments, which you can explore and apply for through their Affordable Housing section.

        Brothers also can help you if you are living in your own place in the community and need modifications to your home, such as installing a ramp or roll-in shower. They have a full list of home modifications and repairs, which both make your home more accessible and help with regular home maintenance. Brothers can help with repairs can like plumbing, painting, and door repairs. Many of the modifications and repairs are completed at no cost to you or at a big discount.

        Find a Brothers Redevelopment office near you.

        Colorado Coalition for the Homeless

        The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has several services to support health, independent living, and well-being:

        • Housing support: The Coalition manages housing properties and works with landlords in the community. Most residents also get services like counseling, life skills training, financial literacy, and help finding work. These extra services can help you have a better life in the community.
        • Healthcare: The Coalition runs five health centers that offer medical and behavioral healthcare, substance use treatment, dental, vision, and pharmacy services. The services are for adults and children who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
        • Other services: For people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, the Coalition offers many of the types of services that CILs and the Arc offer, including things like help finding and keeping work, legal referrals and advocacy, veterans programs, and help with benefits applications.

        Contact the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless or call 1-303-293-2217.

        More housing programs

        Learn more about programs that can help you with rent, buying a home, or paying your mortgage in DB101’s Housing article.

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        Learn more

        HCBS Waiver Programs

        Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs help people with disabilities live in the community.

        How Health Benefits Work

        Learn about the different ways you may be able to get health coverage.

        Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

        SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.

        Long-Term Services and Supports ProgramsSupport for Working
        OpenClose
        The BasicsHelp Moving Into the CommunityHelp Staying in the CommunitySupport for WorkingExampleFAQsPitfallsNext Steps

        Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

        • The Basics
        • Help Moving Into the Community
        • Help Staying in the Community
        • Support for Working
        • Example
        • FAQs
        • Pitfalls
        • Next Steps

        Try It

          Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

          Support for Working

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          Paid work means more money to pay for the things you need and want, so you can live better. To help you get work, Colorado has programs that can help you find, land, and keep a job. State employment programs can also help you grow into your work and career. And if you start work and your income and resources go up, there is a special Health First Colorado (Medicaid) program that lets you work and keep your health coverage.

          Getting into the Workforce

          Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

          The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) helps people with disabilities train for, find and secure employment. Their services include:

          • Vocational counseling and training
          • Job search, application, and interviewing skills
          • On-the-job coaching
          • Keeping a job
          • Job accommodations
          • Medical or psychological testing
          • Assistive technology evaluations
          • Equipment or therapies to improve physical or cognitive functioning
          • Individual, group, or other types of mental health counseling
          • Home and vehicle modifications for employment-related purposes, and
          • Financial needs assessments.

          Most of these services are free or the cost is based on how much you can afford. Anybody who has a disability that is a substantial barrier to employment may qualify for DVR services. Find your local DVR office.

          Learn more about DVR in DB101’s Finding the Right Job for You article.

          Colorado Workforce Centers

          For career counseling and guidance, you can visit a Colorado Workforce Center near you. Workforce Centers provide free services including:

          • Job listings
          • Computer and internet access
          • Career counseling and training for jobseekers

          They can also help you use Connecting Colorado to search for jobs through a job database, post your resume, and apply for specific jobs.

          Workforce Centers have staff that can help you, or you can explore services on your own. Find a Workforce Center near you.

          Learn more about Workforce Centers in DB101’s Finding the Right Job for You article.

          Veterans’ Priority of Service

          Colorado Workforce Centers give extra priority to veterans, including veterans with disabilities. Many Workforce Centers have veteran employment specialists who provide one-on-one help to eligible veterans. Get more information about Veterans’ Priority.

          Keeping Your Health Benefits While You Work

          Many people with disabilities choose not to work because they think they will lose health benefits, especially Health First Colorado (Medicaid). However, you can earn and save money and still keep Health First Colorado (Medicaid) through the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In).

          The Medicaid Adult Buy-In lets you keep your Health First Colorado (Medicaid) benefits while working. The income limit for the Medicaid Adult Buy-In is much higher, there’s no resource limit, and you can get the same coverage as regular Health First Colorado (Medicaid). (Sometimes, the Medicaid Adult Buy-In is called WAwD for short.)

          To qualify for the Medicaid Adult Buy-In, you must:

          • Be 16 years old or older
          • Live in Colorado
          • Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified immigrant
          • Be working
          • Have a disability that meets Social Security’s medical standards.
            • Note: For the Medicaid Adult Buy-In, SSA’s disability rules related to income do not apply.
            • Note: If you aren’t sure if your disability qualifies, you can apply and the state will check.
          • Have countable income at or below $5,869 per month for individuals.
            • The Medicaid Adult Buy-In counts your money the same way as SSI does: almost all of your unearned income is counted, but less than half of your earned income is counted. That means you could earn as much as $11,823 per month ($141,870 per year!) and still qualify.
            • Only your income is counted, not the income of other household members.

          If you have Medicaid Adult Buy-In coverage, you may have to pay a monthly premium of up to $200 each month (the higher your income, the higher your premium).

          Learn more about the Medicaid Adult Buy-In in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.

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          Learn more

          HCBS Waiver Programs

          Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs help people with disabilities live in the community.

          How Health Benefits Work

          Learn about the different ways you may be able to get health coverage.

          Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

          SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.

          Long-Term Services and Supports ProgramsExample
          OpenClose
          The BasicsHelp Moving Into the CommunityHelp Staying in the CommunitySupport for WorkingExampleFAQsPitfallsNext Steps

          Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

          • The Basics
          • Help Moving Into the Community
          • Help Staying in the Community
          • Support for Working
          • Example
          • FAQs
          • Pitfalls
          • Next Steps

          Try It

            Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

            Example

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            Valerie’s Story

            Valerie was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 23. Within a year she lost the ability to walk, and shortly after that Valerie entered a nursing home. A nursing home can be a difficult place for a young person. While Valerie got excellent care and made friends with the nurses and social workers there, she felt limited by where she lived and didn’t get to see her friends and family much. Valerie couldn’t eat what she wanted unless she ordered food from the outside and she had to wake up early every morning for her medications.

            Transition Services

            Valerie decided to see how she could move from the nursing home back to the community. A social worker at the nursing home told her to look into Transition Services, which could help her find a home and get the long-term services and supports she would need to stay in the community. Transition Services could also help her sign up for a waiver program so she could get Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).

            Valerie’s social worker told her that she would likely be able to get Transition Services. Valerie was already enrolled in Health First Colorado (Medicaid), which was the first step. She was also over 18 years old and residing in a nursing home, which counted as a “qualified institution.”

            Valerie asked if she qualified for one of the waiver programs. The social worker recommended that she apply for the Elderly, Blind, & Disabled Waiver (EBD) because it best fit her situation and type of disability. The social worker connected Valerie with her closest Single Entry Point Agency, where she was able to apply for the EBD Waiver. Staff at the Single Entry Point asked Valerie a series of questions and started signing her up for the waiver program. Soon, they were also helping her look for housing.

            Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)

            Valerie found a nice home with the help of the Single Entry Point Agency staff. The EBD Waiver includes Home Accessibility Modifications, so she installed a ramp and door opener to her new place. She is now happy in her new home and is working with a social worker to make the best use of her waiver and the services it gives her.

            She is also excited about the Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) that will help her keep living in the community. She gets medical benefits through Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and qualifies for more than a dozen services through the EBD Waiver. Those services include personal care attendants, non-medical transportation, peer mentorship, and life skills training. Valerie has a Case Manager who helps make sure she has the services and supports she needs to remain independent and healthy. The life skills training is especially useful, since this is her first time living on her own while using a wheelchair and daily personal assistance.

            Valerie has a team of personal care attendants to help her with daily activities, like dressing, bathing, cooking, and cleaning. Valerie also has a doctor and nurse who visit her on a regular basis. Valerie gets help with transportation to and from her rheumatologist, who is the only doctor she must travel to see. She is also able to use non-medical transportation for shopping and her weekly support group. More importantly, Valerie sees her friends and family more often, and that makes her happier.

            Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

            Now that she is settled in her own home, Valerie is thinking about getting a job. Work would give her more income, a renewed sense of purpose, and the ability to meet new people and make new friends. Valerie plans to visit her local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) office, which provides services such as vocational counseling, training, and help finding and applying for jobs. Valerie also feels comfortable knowing that the non-medical transportation can help her get to and from work. Valerie was worried that earning money could make her lose Health First Colorado (Medicaid), until her social worker told her that she could earn more money using the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In) and keep both her EBD Waiver and Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage.

            Valerie’s life has changed a lot since she decided to move out of the nursing home. Instead of limitations, Valerie sees her life as full of possibilities and potential.

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            Learn more

            HCBS Waiver Programs

            Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs help people with disabilities live in the community.

            How Health Benefits Work

            Learn about the different ways you may be able to get health coverage.

            Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

            SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.

            Long-Term Services and Supports ProgramsFAQs
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            The BasicsHelp Moving Into the CommunityHelp Staying in the CommunitySupport for WorkingExampleFAQsPitfallsNext Steps

            Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

            • The Basics
            • Help Moving Into the Community
            • Help Staying in the Community
            • Support for Working
            • Example
            • FAQs
            • Pitfalls
            • Next Steps

            Try It

              Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

              Frequently Asked Questions

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              What are Transition Services?OpenClose

              Transition Services help you move out of an institution, such as a nursing home, and into the community. Transition Services are for people who get Health First Colorado (Medicaid) benefits.

              Transition services can help you:

              • Decide if moving to a community-based setting is possible and the right choice for you
              • Coordinate your move out of an institution and into the community
              • Improve your quality of life by connecting you with training, services and supports, and
              • Get better access to Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

              How do I apply for Transition Services?OpenClose

              To get Transition Services and Transition Coordination, you must have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage and then either:

              • Contact your Local Contact Agency for Options Counseling or
              • Have somebody else refer you to that local contact agency.

              The Options Counseling staff will guide you through the application process and help get you started with your Transition Services and Transition Coordination.

              Learn about how to apply for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.

              How can waivers help me live in the community?OpenClose

              Waiver programs give extra benefits and services to people with disabilities who need them. There are six waiver programs for adults and four for children.

              Waivers are meant for people who need a level of care that they would usually get in an institution, such as a nursing home. Each waiver has its own set of extra services, which are called Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). Waivers, plus the benefits and services they give you, can help you live safely in the community instead of an institution.

              Learn more in DB101’s HCBS Waivers article.

              What are Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)?OpenClose

              Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) are extra benefits and services for people in waiver programs. Colorado offers around 50 different types of these benefits and services, ranging from home modifications to personal attendant care to peer counseling to non-medical transportation. Some waivers offer a handful of benefits and services, while other waiver programs provide more than two dozen services.

              See a complete list of the different benefits and services waivers offer. Note: Each waiver program has its own set of LTSS, and none of the waiver programs offer every benefit and service.

              Who can help me move from a nursing home to my own place?OpenClose

              There are several organizations in Colorado that can help you move from a nursing home to your own place:

              • Social workers from Health First Colorado (Medicaid) can help you sign up for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers and transition into the community.
              • Centers for Independent Living (CILs) provide independent living assistance, housing assistance, and transition services to help you move into the community and stay independent once you are in your own home. Find a local Center for Independent Living.
              • The Arc of Colorado supports people with developmental disabilities as they live in the community. Local Arc chapters provide services, supports and activities for independent living. They can give you direct advice and connect you to peer support groups so you can learn from other community members.
              • Brothers Redevelopment is a nonprofit that provides affordable, safe, and accessible housing solutions for Colorado’s low-income, elderly, and disabled residents. Brothers operates housing communities that you can apply to live in. They can help you modify your own home or apartment so it is more accessible and in good condition.

              Are there services that can help people who are experiencing homelessness find a home?OpenClose

              Yes, there are services that can help people who are experiencing homelessness find a place. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless connects people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness with housing, healthcare, and the kinds of services often found at Centers for Independent Living (CILs). They also operate several apartment buildings and have relationships with landlords, which makes it easier for you to find housing.

              Will I lose my Health First Colorado (Medicaid) benefits if I work and make more money?OpenClose

              The Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In) lets you keep your Health First Colorado (Medicaid) benefits while working. The income limit for the Medicaid Adult Buy-In is much higher, there’s no resource limit, and you can get the same coverage as regular Health First Colorado (Medicaid). (Sometimes, the Medicaid Adult Buy-In is called WAwD for short.)

              To qualify for the Medicaid Adult Buy-In, you must:

              • Be 16 years old or older
              • Live in Colorado
              • Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified immigrant
              • Be working
              • Have a disability that meets Social Security’s medical standards.
                • Note: For the Medicaid Adult Buy-In, SSA’s disability rules related to income do not apply.
                • Note: If you aren’t sure if your disability qualifies, you can apply and the state will check.
              • Have countable income at or below $5,869 per month for individuals.
                • The Medicaid Adult Buy-In counts your money the same way as SSI does: almost all of your unearned income is counted, but less than half of your earned income is counted. That means, you could earn as much as $11,823 per month ($141,870 per year!) and still qualify.
                • Only your income is counted, not the income of other household members.

              If you have Medicaid Adult Buy-In coverage, you may have to pay a monthly premium of up to $200 each month (the higher your income, the higher your premium).

              Learn more about the Medicaid Adult Buy-In in DB101’s How Health Benefits Work article.

              Are there other long-term services and supports options for veterans?OpenClose

              Veterans in Colorado may get long-term services and supports from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through either the VA Western Colorado Health Care System or the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, depending on where they live. The VA offers services such as transportation assistance, medical services, housing services for veterans experiencing homelessness, and more. For more information, call the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System at 1-303-399-8020 or the VA Western Colorado Healthcare System at 1-970-242-0731.

              Colorado Workforce Centers give extra priority to veterans, including veterans with disabilities. Many Workforce Centers have veteran employment specialists who provide one-on-one assistance to eligible veterans. More information is available on the Department of Labor and Employment’s Veteran Priority website.

              Where can I get help finding a job?OpenClose

              The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) helps people with disabilities train for, find, and get work. Their services include:

              • Vocational counseling and training
              • Job search, application, and interviewing skills
              • On-the-job coaching
              • Keeping a job
              • Job accommodations
              • Medical or psychological testing
              • Assistive technology evaluations
              • Equipment or therapies to improve physical or cognitive functioning
              • Individual, group, or other types of mental health counseling
              • Home and vehicle modifications for employment-related purposes, and
              • Financial needs assessments.

              Most of these services are free or the cost is based on how much you can afford. Anybody who has a disability that is a substantial barrier to employment may qualify for DVR services.

              Colorado Workforce Centers give counseling, guidance and resources for finding a job. Workforce Centers provide free services including:

              • Job listings
              • Computer and internet access
              • Career counseling and training for jobseekers

              They can also help you use Connecting Colorado to search for jobs through a job database, post your resume, and apply for specific jobs.

              Workforce Centers have staff that can help you, or you can explore services on your own. Find a Workforce Center near you.

              Some Health First Colorado (Medicaid) waiver programs give supported employment services that can help you find and keep a job and build your career. Learn more about Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver programs.

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              Learn more

              HCBS Waiver Programs

              Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs help people with disabilities live in the community.

              How Health Benefits Work

              Learn about the different ways you may be able to get health coverage.

              Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

              SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.

              Long-Term Services and Supports ProgramsPitfalls
              OpenClose
              The BasicsHelp Moving Into the CommunityHelp Staying in the CommunitySupport for WorkingExampleFAQsPitfallsNext Steps

              Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

              • The Basics
              • Help Moving Into the Community
              • Help Staying in the Community
              • Support for Working
              • Example
              • FAQs
              • Pitfalls
              • Next Steps

              Try It

                Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

                Common Pitfalls

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                Thinking your disability means you cannot live in the community

                Many people with disabilities live in their own places in the community with the right supports and services. If you live in an institution, such as a nursing home, or just got out of the hospital and you are worried about living in the community, there may be supports to help. People who live in the community have more freedom, are happier, and can make more money by working.

                If you have a disability and qualify for Health First Colorado (Medicaid), you may be able to sign up for waivers that will give you Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). These help you with things like transition services, housing supports, day programs, non-medical transportation, personal attendant care, and more. These services, combined with support from a Social Worker or Case Manager, can help you live in the community.

                Thinking you lose your benefits if you move out of a long-term care facility

                If you are in a long-term care facility and get Health First Colorado (Medicaid) benefits, you can still get them if you move into the community. Health First Colorado (Medicaid) will even help you arrange your move through Transition Services. And, you may get more benefits through waiver programs, which provide Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) depending on your type of disability. Waivers and LTSS make it easier to keep living in the community and get your needs met.

                If you are a veteran and get your medical benefits through the VA Western Colorado Health Care System or the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, you qualify for programs that provide community-based care and adult day health care.

                If you have any questions about how you can get the services you need after moving out of a long-term care facility, talk to your Case Manager or to the social worker at your facility.

                Thinking there are no resources that can help you find and keep a job

                Finding a job can be hard, especially if you’re trying to do it by yourself. Fortunately, there are excellent resources that can help you find a job that’s right for you and give you advice and coaching to help you keep your job.

                The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is an excellent place to start. DVR can help with your job search and with the application and interview process. DVR also supports on-the-job coaching and help with reasonable accommodations, assistive technology, and much more.

                Colorado Workforce Centers give free services to job-seekers including computer and internet access, career counseling and training, and lists of jobs that are hiring. Find a Workforce Center near you.

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                • Previous
                • Next

                Learn more

                HCBS Waiver Programs

                Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs help people with disabilities live in the community.

                How Health Benefits Work

                Learn about the different ways you may be able to get health coverage.

                Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

                SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.

                Long-Term Services and Supports ProgramsNext Steps
                OpenClose
                The BasicsHelp Moving Into the CommunityHelp Staying in the CommunitySupport for WorkingExampleFAQsPitfallsNext Steps

                Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

                • The Basics
                • Help Moving Into the Community
                • Help Staying in the Community
                • Support for Working
                • Example
                • FAQs
                • Pitfalls
                • Next Steps

                Try It

                  Long-Term Services and Supports Programs

                  Next Steps

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                  Learn More about Programs Supporting a Move into the Community

                  • Visit the Colorado Long-Term Services and Supports Programs website.
                  • Visit or call your local county human services department.
                  • Visit or call your local Transition Services Local Contact Agency for help or to learn about your options.

                  Learn More about Programs Supporting Staying in the Community

                  • Learn about waivers in DB101’s HCBS Waivers article or through the Long-Term Services and Supports Programs website.
                  • Find a local Center for Independent Living to get help moving into the community and staying independent once you are in your own home.
                  • Contact your local Arc chapter for advice and services to live in the community. Arc chapters support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
                  • Visit or call your local county human services department.

                  Learn More About Programs That Support Work

                  • To find out how a job could affect your income and health benefits, try DB101’s Benefits and Work Estimator.
                  • Learn more about the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In), which lets you keep your Health First Colorado (Medicaid) benefits while working.
                  • Visit the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to learn more about the services offered there to help you find job opportunities, get a job, and get back to work.
                  • Find a Colorado Workforce Center near you.

                  Ticket to Work

                  Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program helps people with disabilities who get Social Security benefits re-enter the workforce and become more independent. The Ticket to Work Program offers free access to employment-related services, such as training, transportation, and vocational rehabilitation. You can call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).

                  Get Help with Your Benefits

                  A trained Benefits Planner can help you understand your benefits programs. Exactly who you need to contact depends on your situation and the benefits you get.

                  View DB101's full list of experts who can help you understand different benefits.

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                  • Previous

                  Learn more

                  HCBS Waiver Programs

                  Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs help people with disabilities live in the community.

                  How Health Benefits Work

                  Learn about the different ways you may be able to get health coverage.

                  Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

                  SSI helps people with disabilities and seniors who have low income and resources.