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Colorado disability help
Last updated: 28 September 2026
Disabled seniors in Colorado may need several systems at once: Medicaid for care at home, local aging offices for navigation, housing programs, transportation, food and energy help, and legal support when a service is denied. Start with the problem that affects safety or daily life most.
Bottom Line
For help bathing, dressing, eating, moving safely, or staying at home, contact Health First Colorado or your local Case Management Agency and ask for a long-term services assessment. If you are not sure which office fits, call Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado at 1-844-265-2372. If the problem is urgent housing, food, heat, abuse, or loss of care, use the emergency routes below first.
Urgent Help
- Immediate danger or medical emergency: Call 911.
- Mental health or suicide crisis: Call or text 988 or use the 988 Lifeline.
- Abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect: Contact Colorado Adult Protective Services in the county where the adult lives.
- Nursing home or assisted living problem: Call the Colorado ombudsman at 303-862-3524.
- Food, rent, utilities, or other immediate needs: Call 2-1-1 and use our Colorado emergency guide for more routes.
Start Here
Use the first route that matches the main problem. You can add other programs after the first call.
| Need | Start here | Ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Help at home with daily tasks | Health First Colorado or a Case Management Agency | Long-term services assessment, Community First Choice, or waiver options |
| Not sure which office fits | Colorado ADRC | Options counseling and the correct local office |
| Housing or eviction problem | Colorado Housing Connects | Housing navigation, fair housing, or legal referrals |
| Equipment or home access | Case manager, doctor, or assistive technology program | Coverage, device trials, or home modification steps |
| Benefits denied or reduced | Read the notice first | Appeal deadline, case file, and continued benefits rules |
What Has Changed
- Community First Choice: Colorado moved several attendant and home-support services from Home and Community-Based Services waivers into Community First Choice. HCPF says the transition period ended June 30, 2026, and the affected services are available through Community First Choice from July 1, 2026. See the CFC transition bulletin.
- Home modifications: HCPF approved a future change from the EBD $14,000 lifetime cap to a waiver-lifecycle cap, but the department’s adopted rule materials say the EBD funding change takes effect January 1, 2027. The lifetime-cap wording still applies during 2026. See the home-modification rule.
- Medical rides: MediDrive became the broker for Health First Colorado medical rides in the nine Denver-metro counties on July 1, 2026. The reservation number remains 1-855-489-4999. Colorado is continuing a wider statewide broker rollout.
How Colorado Disability Help Works
Colorado uses several entry points. The right one depends on your county, age, disability, income, care needs, housing, and health coverage.
Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado: ADRC offers options counseling and can connect older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers to local long-term support. Call 1-844-265-2372. You can also use our Colorado AAA guide.
Case Management Agencies: Case Management Agencies help people enter and manage long-term services. Use the state CMA directory for the agency serving your area.
County human services: County offices handle many Medicaid, food, cash, and energy applications. Colorado PEAK is the main online benefits portal. Our Colorado PEAK guide explains the process.
Centers for Independent Living: Colorado has nine Centers for Independent Living. They can help with independent living skills, peer support, access issues, local resources, and referrals. Use the CIL county finder.
For help outside disability-specific programs, see our Colorado benefits guide.
Home Care and Daily Support
Health First Colorado long-term services
What it helps with: Health First Colorado is Colorado Medicaid. Long-term services may cover help with personal care, homemaker tasks, health maintenance, meals, safety supports, and other approved services at home.
Who may qualify: Eligibility depends on Medicaid financial rules and the level of care or service need. The Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver serves people age 65 or older who meet the aged target criteria and younger adults who meet specified blindness, physical disability, or HIV/AIDS criteria. Nursing-facility level of care is also required for the waiver. Review the EBD Waiver rules with your case manager.
Where to start: If you do not have Medicaid, use the Medicaid application or Colorado PEAK. If you already have coverage, ask your Case Management Agency for a long-term services assessment.
Community First Choice, CDASS, and IHSS
What it helps with: Community First Choice (CFC) is now a major Medicaid route for home and community support. Covered CFC services include personal care, homemaker, health maintenance, home-delivered meals, remote supports, and other listed services. Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) and In-Home Support Services (IHSS) are service-delivery options for some members.
Who may qualify: CFC does not create a separate Medicaid eligibility group. Members must meet Health First Colorado rules and the required level of care and assessed service need.
Where to start: Ask your Case Management Agency which CFC services and delivery model fit your approved care plan. Family caregivers may be paid in some approved arrangements, but payment is not automatic. Our Colorado caregiver guide explains the main routes.
PACE for people with heavy care needs
What it helps with: The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) combines medical care and long-term support through one care organization.
Who may qualify: A person must be at least 55, need nursing-facility level of care, live in a PACE service area, and be able to live safely in the community at enrollment.
Where to start: Use the state Colorado PACE page to find a local organization and ask about doctors, pharmacies, hospitals, transportation, and home-care arrangements.
Equipment, Home Access, and Rides
Home modifications
Some Health First Colorado waiver members may receive approved changes such as ramps, bathroom changes, door widening, or other work needed for health, safety, or independence. For the EBD Waiver during 2026, HCPF still applies a $14,000 lifetime maximum. HCPF has adopted a change that is scheduled to reset the EBD cap by waiver lifecycle beginning January 1, 2027. Work must be approved before construction. Ask the case manager what evaluation, bids, forms, landlord permission, and state review are required.
Do not pay first: HCPF warns that work completed before approval may not be reimbursed.
Medical equipment and assistive technology
For wheelchairs, walkers, beds, oxygen equipment, communication devices, or other durable medical equipment, ask the treating clinician what order or prior authorization is required. If you need to try equipment before buying it, the Colorado AT Program offers statewide assistive-technology information and adult device resources. Our Colorado equipment guide lists additional reuse and loan options.
Medical rides and disability parking
Health First Colorado Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) helps eligible members reach covered care when they have no other ride. As of July 1, 2026, MediDrive handles reservations in the nine Denver-metro counties; call 1-855-489-4999. MediDrive says routine rides should normally be booked at least two business days ahead. Use the MediDrive member page for current booking instructions.
For disability parking, use the Colorado DMV parking privileges page. A qualified medical professional must certify that the applicant meets a listed mobility or medical standard.
Accessible Housing and Tenant Help
Accessible and affordable housing can be difficult to find. Use several routes at the same time instead of relying on one waitlist.
Housing navigation: Colorado Housing Connects is a statewide housing helpline. Call 1-844-926-6632 for rental, eviction-prevention, foreclosure, or fair-housing navigation.
Affordable housing: Public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, Section 202 housing for older adults, and Section 811 housing for people with disabilities may be available through local housing authorities and property managers. Start with HUD Colorado and our Colorado housing guide.
Reasonable accommodations: A person with a disability may ask for a housing rule, policy, or practice to be changed when needed because of disability. Put the request in writing and keep a copy. If the disability-related need is not obvious, the housing provider may ask for limited supporting information.
Reality check: A disability does not automatically move someone to the top of every housing list. Ask each housing authority or building about preferences, accommodation procedures, and open lists.
Food, Heat, Taxes, and Medicare Costs
| Program | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Households with an older or disabled member can receive special treatment of some out-of-pocket medical costs. | Report and document medical expenses, not only income. |
| LEAP | Helps with part of winter home-heating costs. | Apply during the Nov. 1-Apr. 30 season; call for off-season help. |
| Disability Assistance Credit | For 2025 Colorado income-tax returns, qualifying filers may receive a $400-$1,200 credit based on filing status and income. | Check disability-benefit, full-year residency, and income rules. |
| PTC Rebate | Can help certain older Coloradans with property tax, rent, or heat costs. | Check the 2025 age, income, residency, and expense rules. |
| Medicare Savings Programs | May help with Medicare premiums and, for some groups, other Medicare cost sharing. | Apply through the county and verify the current limit for the correct program. |
SNAP and medical expenses
SNAP can help pay for groceries. Federal SNAP rules allow households with an elderly or disabled member to deduct certain unreimbursed medical expenses above the program threshold when calculating net income. Examples can include premiums, prescriptions, medical supplies, attendant care, and some transportation. Review the SNAP special rules and apply through Colorado PEAK or your county. Keep receipts and proof of what insurance paid.
LEAP for winter heat
Colorado’s Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) accepts regular applications from November 1 through April 30. As of September 11, 2026, the regular season is closed. The state says people who need help outside the season can call 1-866-432-8435. Check the Colorado LEAP page before the next season opens.
Colorado disability and PTC tax help
For tax year 2025, Colorado’s Disability Assistance Credit ranges from $400 to $1,200, based on federal adjusted gross income and filing status. The current instructions require full-year Colorado residency, disability for the full year, qualifying full disability benefits for the full year, and federal adjusted gross income no higher than $20,000 for single filers or $32,000 for joint filers. See the 2025 tax guide.
Beginning with 2025, disability by itself no longer qualifies a person for the Property Tax, Rent, Heat (PTC) Rebate. A person may still qualify through the age or surviving-spouse route. The state also says a person who qualifies for both PTC and the Disability Assistance Credit must choose one, not both. Check the 2025 PTC booklet.
Medicare cost help
If you have Medicare and limited income or resources, ask the county about Medicare Savings Programs. They may help with Part B premiums and, depending on the program, other Medicare costs. Our Colorado MSP guide explains QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI.
Rights, Safety, and Appeals
Disability rights: Colorado’s protection-and-advocacy organization provides rights information and may help with selected disability-related problems involving housing, public access, community integration, transportation, and other issues. Use the request assistance page. The organization cannot take every individual case.
Public benefits and housing legal help: Colorado Legal Services helps eligible low-income Coloradans with some civil legal problems, including Medicaid and SNAP disputes. Call 303-837-1313 or apply online.
Medicaid appeals: HCPF says a person generally has 60 days from the notice date to appeal an eligibility decision or a denied or reduced service. Continued benefits rules depend on the type of decision and timing, so follow the notice closely. Read the official Medicaid appeal rules before the deadline.
Do not wait for legal aid: Asking a lawyer for help does not stop an appeal deadline. File the appeal or hearing request on time if the notice tells you to do so.
Local Help Often Matters Most
Local offices know which providers, meal sites, ride programs, caregiver supports, and housing lists are actually operating nearby. Ask ADRC or your Area Agency on Aging for the office serving your county. A Center for Independent Living may help with access, independent living skills, equipment resources, and referrals.
If a senior is leaving a hospital and cannot manage safely at home, ask for the hospital social worker or discharge planner before discharge. Ask who will arrange equipment, home health, prescriptions, transportation, follow-up visits, and any needed caregiver training.
For dental pain, dentures, or other oral-health needs, our Colorado dental guide lists Medicaid and low-cost routes.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Name the main problem: Write one sentence, such as “I need help bathing safely” or “I cannot get to medical appointments.”
- Call the right door: Case Management Agency for long-term services, ADRC for navigation, county human services for benefits, or Colorado Housing Connects for housing.
- Ask for the next action: “What form, assessment, appointment, or document comes next?”
- Keep proof: Save notices, screenshots, upload receipts, letters, and the names of workers you spoke with.
- Ask for accommodations: If a disability makes phone calls, forms, online portals, or office visits hard, ask for communication help or another accessible method.
Documents and Information to Gather
| Document | Why it may matter |
|---|---|
| ID and Colorado address | Identity and residency |
| Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or insurance cards | Coverage and coordination |
| Income and benefit letters | Financial eligibility |
| Bank or resource records | Programs that use asset tests |
| Rent, mortgage, utility, heat, or tax bills | Housing, energy, and rebate programs |
| Medical bills and receipts | SNAP deductions and care planning |
| Doctor or therapist notes | Care needs, equipment, modifications, accommodations |
| Denial or reduction notices | Appeal reasons and deadlines |
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Home care assessment
“I am a Colorado resident with a disability and I need help at home with ____. I want a long-term services assessment. Can you tell me whether Community First Choice, the EBD Waiver, CDASS, IHSS, or another option may fit?”
Benefits documents
“I am applying for help and I have medical costs and care needs. Which documents do you need, how should I send them, and how can I confirm they were received?”
Housing accommodation
“I have a disability and need a housing accommodation because ____. I am asking for ____. Who receives the request, and what supporting information do you need?”
Denied or reduced service
“I received a notice dated ____. Please explain the reason, the appeal deadline, where I file, and whether my current benefits can continue while I appeal.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming Medicare pays for ongoing personal care: Medicare coverage is limited. Medicaid long-term services or PACE may be the better route.
- Starting home work before approval: Medicaid home modifications require approval before construction.
- Ignoring medical expense proof: Medical expenses can matter in SNAP calculations for elderly or disabled household members.
- Relying on one housing list: Apply to more than one appropriate housing authority or property when possible.
- Ignoring small notices: A renewal, document request, or appeal deadline can affect coverage.
- Stopping after one “no”: Ask for the reason in writing and whether a different program or service route fits.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
Ask for the reason in writing. Read the notice for the exact deadline and filing method. Keep proof of every document you submit. If the dispute involves Medicaid, benefits, or housing, ask Colorado Legal Services whether it can help, but do not let an appeal deadline pass while waiting for a callback.
If care or basic needs cannot wait, use backup help at the same time: ADRC, your Area Agency on Aging, a Center for Independent Living, 2-1-1, food banks, local charities, and the social worker at a clinic or hospital. Temporary help may not replace the benefit, but it can reduce risk while the case is pending.
Resumen en Español
Las personas mayores con discapacidad en Colorado pueden empezar con Health First Colorado si necesitan ayuda en casa, equipo médico o transporte a citas. Si no sabe dónde empezar, llame a Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado al 1-844-265-2372. Para vivienda, llame a Colorado Housing Connects al 1-844-926-6632. Para transporte médico de Medicaid en el área metropolitana de Denver, MediDrive usa el 1-855-489-4999. Si recibe una carta que niega o reduce Medicaid, revise de inmediato la fecha límite para apelar. Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best first call for a disabled senior in Colorado?
If the main need is help at home, contact Health First Colorado or the local Case Management Agency. If you are not sure which office fits, call Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado at 1-844-265-2372.
How do I ask for home care in Colorado?
Ask for a long-term services assessment. Explain which daily tasks are unsafe or difficult, such as bathing, dressing, meals, transfers, toileting, mobility, memory, or fall prevention.
Can a family caregiver be paid in Colorado?
Sometimes. Approved Medicaid service-delivery options may allow certain family caregivers to be paid, but the member must meet program rules and the care must be authorized in the service plan.
Can Colorado Medicaid pay for ramps or bathroom changes?
Possibly. Some waiver members may qualify for the home modification benefit. For the EBD Waiver in 2026, HCPF still uses a $14,000 lifetime maximum. A waiver-lifecycle reset is scheduled to begin January 1, 2027. Ask the case manager for approval before paying a contractor or starting work.
How do Health First Colorado members get medical rides?
Eligible members can use Non-Emergent Medical Transportation for covered care when they have no other ride. In the nine Denver-metro counties, MediDrive handles reservations as of July 1, 2026 at 1-855-489-4999.
What should I do if Medicaid is denied or reduced?
Read the notice immediately. HCPF generally gives 60 days from the notice date for an appeal, but continued-benefit rules depend on the type of decision and timing. Follow the notice and file before the deadline.
About This Guide
Sources
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 28 September 2026 · Next review: 28 January 2027
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