Grants for Single Mothers in Colorado

Colorado has several programs to help its population in need, especially single mothers. Like as in the rest of United States, there are several programs created by the federal government, but there are also others created by the local government designed for the specific needs of Colorado inhabitants. These programs can generally help by offering food, rental and foreclosure assistance, free or low-cost health care and prescriptions, just to name a few of the basic needs.

Below, you will find a list of programs available to single mothers in Colorado:

Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit of Colorado offers a credit based on 10% of the federal credit amount and is fully refundable, which means any Colorado family without income tax liability can receive the entire Earned Income Tax Credit amount as a refund. Colorado residents may contact Colorado United Way 2-1-1 Help Centers by dialing 2-1-1, to find out if they are eligible for the EITC and to be connected to free tax preparation services. You can also use the EITC Assistant https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/use-the-eitc-assistant to see if you qualify for tax years: 2018, 2017, and 2016. The EITC Assistant helps you find out your filing status, if your child qualifies, if you are eligible, and it also helps estimate the amount of EITC you may get.

Food Assistance Program

The Food Assistance Program or SNAP assists low-income individuals or families in Colorado to buy the food needed for a nutritionally adequate diet. This program is offered in at least one location in all Colorado counties, ensuring that all eligible families have access to a healthy diet.

In order to qualify for SNAP, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Live in Colorado.
• Be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
• Show proof of identity.
• Meet certain income guidelines.
• Have less than $2,250 in resources.

However, as a condition of eligibility, all SNAP participants in Colorado are required to register for work, accept an offer of suitable work, or participate in the Employment First http://coemploymentfirst.org/ program, unless otherwise exempt.

Colorado Works Program

Colorado Works is Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Through the program, participants receive help becoming self-sufficient by strengthening their family’s economic and social stability.  Colorado Works operates in all 64 counties and is delivered locally through each county’s department of human or social services. Among the goals of this program are:

• Provide job opportunities for low-income Coloradans
• Support low-income Coloradans in both preparation for and retention of job opportunities
• Identify and promote strategies to increase household income and economic stability
• Serve as a financial safety net for older adults, people with disabilities, children and parents who are participating in work-related activities
• Promote family and individual safety and stability, healthy relationships and the their overall well-being

Health Programs

In Colorado, there are two health programs available: Health First Colorado (or Colorado’s Medicaid Program). Colorado’s Medicaid Program is public health insurance for low-income Coloradans including families, children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities and some adults without children. Medicaid is free or has a low cost for people based in the state that who cannot afford it in any other way. Medicaid covers all kind of health issues from doctors’ visits and emergency and prevent care, to procedures and treatments. Medicaid is now available to eligible Coloradans age 19-64 with income up to 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

Medicaid in Colorado is administrated by Market Place. It is known in Colorado as Connect for Health Colorado and its mission is to increase access, affordability, and choice for individuals and small employers purchasing health insurance in Colorado.

The other program is Colorado´s Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). CHP+ is a low-cost health insurance for Colorado’s uninsured children and pregnant women. CHP+ is aimed at children and pregnant women who earn too much to qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) but, cannot afford private health insurance for their children.

Children under 19 and pregnant women may also receive temporary coverage — Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) – under the Presumptive Eligibility (PE) program. Application can be made at any PE-approved clinics, health centers, and community resource centers.

The health benefits and services that these plans include are:

• Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
• Emergency services
• Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)
• Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care (both before and after birth)
• Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy)
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
• Laboratory services
• Free preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
• Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (adult dental and vision coverage, however, aren’t essential health benefits).

College Opportunity Fund (COF)

The College Opportunity Fund (COF), created by the Colorado Legislature, provides a stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend pays a portion of your total in-state tuition when you attend a participating college.

Eligible undergraduate students must apply, be admitted and enroll in classes at a participating college to receive this benefit. Both new and continuing students are eligible for the stipend.

Qualifying students may use the stipend for eligible undergraduate classes. The stipend is paid on a per credit hour basis based on the college at which the student is enrolled. The credit-hour amount is set annually by the General Assembly. For further information about the COF including eligibility, please visit https://cof.college-assist.org/Home/Faq#age-requirement.