Colorado Works

Apply for Benefits

How to Apply

You can apply for Colorado Works:

No matter which way you apply, you can choose to use this same application to also apply for Colorado Works, SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Health First Colorado (Medicaid), cash assistance, Colorado's Old Age Pension, and other benefits programs.

Each of the 64 counties in Colorado runs its own Colorado Works program. The way they decide if you can get benefits, and how much you get, is the same statewide. Exactly what you have to do after you submit your application and what the various steps are called can vary from county to county.

What You Need to Apply

When you apply for Colorado Works, you should have:

  • Your identification and proof of citizenship (or of your legal immigration status), such as your driver's license, ID card, resident card, or U.S. Passport
  • Social Security numbers for you and everyone in your household who has a Social Security number
  • Documents showing any income you have, like your pay stubs or a letter from your employer
  • Documents showing any unearned income, such as unemployment benefits, child support payments, etc.
  • Proof of your relationship to any children in your household who are not your biological children, like a birth certificate or other documents

You may need to provide copies of other documents, depending on your situation. The Colorado PEAK website has some Examples of Required Documents.

After You Apply

From the time you submit your application and all required documents, Colorado Works has up to 45 days to tell you if you can get these benefits or not. You get either a phone call or a letter to set up an eligibility appointment. This appointment can be in person or over the phone (this varies by county). To see if you can get Colorado Works benefits, the eligibility worker will usually ask you about your:

  • Family and living situation
  • Income
  • Work history
  • Skills
  • Education
  • Valid identification

The eligibility worker needs enough details to let Colorado Works decide if you and your family qualify for benefits. Learn more about who can get Colorado Works benefits.

Learn more