Are you struggling to buy food and are thinking about applying for food stamps in Colorado? You’re not alone – we are here to help. We can provide you with the information to successfully complete the Colorado food stamps online application.
Currently, there are currently 46 million people on food stamps in the United States. With that said, there are lots of individuals and families across the country that need food assistance and are benefiting from help from the United States government.
If you or your family cannot afford the basic nutrition you need, you should consider submitting a food stamps application. In this article, we will help you apply for food assistance in Colorado.
Continue reading for our step-by-step guide on how to apply food stamps in Colorado. We will also review what you need to do to get approved.
How to Apply for Colorado Food Stamps
For help applying for Colorado SNAP benefits online, follow the instructions provided below to complete your food stamps online application.
Step 1
Qualification Guidelines for Food Stamps in Colorado
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for running the food and nutrition assistance program.
As part of the program, they have set-up guidelines for the food assistance program. These guidelines include a set of requirements that must be met to receive SNAP benefits. This is what the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) uses to review your application.
To be approved for food stamps in Colorado, you have to meet the following guidelines:
Among the qualification criteria, the income requirement is the most important. To be eligible, you must meet both the gross and net income requirement.
The income requirements are based on the number of people that live in your household.
What is gross income?
Gross income means a household’s total, non-excluded income, before any deductions have been made.
What is net income?
Net income means gross income minus allowable deductions.
Income Limit Exemptions
If you live in a household with an elderly or disabled person, you only have to meet the net income limit to qualify.
If all members of your household are receiving:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or
- General assistance benefits
Then your household may automatically be deemed eligible for SNAP because you have already been determined eligible for another benefits program.
Income Limit Chart for 2020
To see if your total household income meets the limit for 2020, use the chart below.
How do I calculate gross income?
To calculate your gross income, use the chart provided below:
How do I calculate net income?
To calculate your net income, you have to take your gross income and deduct the allowable deductions indicated below.
If you meet both the gross and net income requirements, then you should get approved for benefits. This is the most important of the requirement to receive SNAP.
Allowable Deductions
The following is a list of allowable deductions when calculating your total household net income.
The following deductions are allowed for SNAP:
- A 20-percent deduction from earned income.
- A standard deduction of $167 for household with 1-3 people or $178 for a household with 4 or more.
- A dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education
- Medical expenses for elderly or disabled members that are more than $35/month and not paid by insurance or someone else.
- In some states, legally owed child support payments.
- In some states, a standard shelter deduction of $152.06 for the homeless.
- Excess shelter costs as described below.
Excess Shelter Costs
For help determining your excess shelter deduction, use the information provided below.
Once you have calculated your allowable deductions, you can use the example below to calculate your total household net income.
Once you have calculated your income and have determined that you are eligible, continue to step two.
Step 2
Colorado Food Stamps Online Application Process
If you believe you qualify for food stamps after reviewing all the eligibility criteria, including the income guidelines, then you are ready to apply for food stamps in Colorado.
There are three ways to apply for SNAP benefits:
- You can apply online through the Department of Humans Services website – Colorado PEAK. This is the fastest way to apply for SNAP benefits. For the Colorado food stamps online application, click here.
- You can apply in-person at your local Colorado DHS office. If you would like to submit an in-person application, click here to locate the nearest DHS office.
- The last way to apply is by mail. You can download and print the Colorado SNAP application online, then fill it out. When complete, mail it into your local DHS office for review.
Apply for Colorado SNAP EBT [Video]
For more help, check out our video for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for Colorado food stamps online.
Watch it below:
Step 3
Interview
Once you successfully submit your food stamps application, your file will be assigned to a case worker. You will then receive a letter inviting you to an in person interview.
During this interview, the case worker will review your application and ask you questions about the information you submitted to make sure that you indeed are in need of food assistance.
If your file is incomplete, you may be asked to bring the missing documents to the interview.
Make sure you follow all the instructions provided in your interview invitation letter, otherwise, you may delay your application.
Step 4
Receive Your EBT Card
If your interview is successful and are approved for food stamps, you will be issued an EBT Card, which acts like a debit card but can only be used to make food stamps purchases. Your monthly food stamps allocation will be put on your debit card.
Remember that you are only allowed to by food that is on the USDA approved food stamps list. You are also only allowed to buy approved food from approved vendors (grocery stores or supermarkets etc).
Using your EBT card for something that it was not intended or approved for can land you in jail and you will end up losing your benefits for a very long time.
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We hope this article about the Colorado food stamps online application process was helpful. If you have any questions about the application, quest card or food stamps in general, tell us in the comments section below.
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