Colorado has programs that may help with healthcare coverage, in-home support, disability services, caregiver support, transportation and other needs.

You do not need to explore everything on this page. Eligibility is different for every program and may depend on things like age, medical or functional needs, disability, income or level of care.

We’ve gathered trusted places to start so you don’t have to find them on your own.

Colorado Medicaid & Helpful Resources

A few things to know before you start:

Many public programs determine eligibility based on a combination of factors, which may include the individual’s diagnosis, medical and functional needs, required level of care, disability-related criteria, and financial circumstances. A genetic diagnosis may provide helpful supporting information, but it does not automatically establish eligibility for a particular program.

The resources below may help the individual and their support team explore healthcare coverage, long-term services and supports, in-home assistance, day and community services, caregiver support, food and cash benefits, transportation, and other community resources. Eligibility varies by program and should be confirmed with the appropriate agency.

What kind of help are you looking for?

Choose a topic below to find the resources that may be most helpful to you.

I’m not sure where to start

I want to understand how services work

I’m looking for adult disability services

I need help with care at home

I’m working and have a disability

I’m looking for disability benefits

I need help with healthcare, food or household expenses

I need transportation or local help

How to Begin:

Not sure where to start? These are the best places to begin.

Colorado’s online portal for applying for and managing Health First Colorado and other public benefits. People seeking HCBS waiver or Community First Choice services should also contact the Case Management Agency serving their county.

Colorado PEAK

Case Management Agencies

If you’re exploring long-term services or disability supports, this is a good place to start. Find the Case Management Agency that serves your county.

The primary access point for HCBS waivers, Community First Choice, and several other LTSS programs. The agency serving the individual’s county can assist with intake, eligibility assessment, person-centered service planning, provider arrangements, monitoring, and connection to other supports.

Want to understand the process before you begin? This guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.

HCBS Enrollment Guide

Health First Colorado provides an enrollment guide with preparation tips, information about the assessment process, common terms, and links to additional LTSS resources.

Colorado’s Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) programs help eligible people with disabilities, complex medical needs, or age-related needs receive care and support in their homes and communities. LTSS may include assistance with daily activities, homemaker or meal services, health-maintenance activities, caregiver support, respite, assistive technology, home modifications, day or employment supports, community participation, transportation, and case management.

Long-Term Services and Supports

General HCBS Waiver Eligibility

Eligibility is different for each program, but these are some of the things Colorado may consider.

An individual may qualify for an HCBS waiver when they:

  • Meet the age requirements for the specific waiver;

  • Meet the waiver’s disability, medical, diagnostic, functional, or other program-specific eligibility requirements;

  • Meet the required institutional level of care based on assessed medical or functional needs;

  • Choose to receive eligible services in a home or community setting rather than an institutional setting; and

  • Meet program-specific financial eligibility requirements.

A specific molecular genetic diagnosis is not universally required. Eligibility must be assessed under the criteria of the individual program, and some programs may have waitlists or limited provider capacity.

HCBS Waivers for Adults

For adults age 18 and older: Colorado offers several HCBS waivers. The right program depends on the person’s age, disability or diagnosis, functional needs, required level of care and financial eligibility.

Some programs have different age requirements, so check the individual waiver information below.

Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD)

For adults age 18 or older who have a developmental disability, meet Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities level-of-care criteria, and require access to services and supports 24 hours a day. The waiver may provide residential habilitation, day habilitation, and other supports, including services for individuals who live with family or in another approved living arrangement.

Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)

For adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who can live in their own home, a family home, or another community setting with targeted supports. The waiver is designed to supplement natural supports and community resources and may include day, employment, behavioral, respite, assistive-technology, and other services. Some programs may have waitlists.

Brain Injury Waiver (BI)

For people age 16 or older whose qualifying brain injury occurred before age 65 and who meet nursing-facility or hospital level-of-care and other program requirements.

Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS)

For adults with severe and persistent mental-health needs, functional impairment, and a need for assistance with one or more activities of daily living who meet nursing-facility level-of-care and other program requirements. Intellectual or developmental disability alone does not establish CMHS eligibility.

Complementary and Integrative Health Waiver (CIH)

For adults age 18 or older with a qualifying spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy and an assessed inability for independent ambulation. The waiver includes complementary health services in addition to other HCBS benefits.

Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver (EBD)

For adults age 18-64 who are blind, have a physical disability, or have HIV/AIDS, and for adults age 65 or older with a significant functional impairment, when nursing-facility level-of-care and other program requirements are met.


Community First Choice &
Participant-Directed Services

If you need help with everyday care at home, these programs may offer different ways to receive that support — including options that give you or your family more say in who provides the care and how it is managed.

Colorado implemented Community First Choice (CFC) on July 1, 2025. CFC is a Health First Colorado state-plan LTSS program rather than an HCBS waiver. Services such as personal care, homemaker services, health-maintenance activities, home-delivered meals, medication reminders, personal emergency response systems, remote supports, and transition setup are now accessed through CFC for eligible members. Waiver-based access to services transitioned to CFC ended June 30, 2026.

Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS)

A service-delivery option that allows eligible members or an authorized representative to recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise attendants within program requirements. Qualifying family members or friends may sometimes serve as paid attendants, subject to applicable rules.

In-Home Support Services (IHSS)

A service-delivery option in which the member or support team directs care while an approved provider agency handles employment and administrative responsibilities. Depending on program rules, qualifying friends or family members may work for the agency.

Use of participant-directed services should reflect the individual’s needs, preferences, abilities, and safety, with support from family members, trusted supporters, an authorized representative, or a legally authorized representative when applicable.

Transition & Community-Living Supports

These resources may help eligible adults who are moving into or maintaining life in a community setting.

For eligible Health First Colorado members age 18 or older who qualify for an adult HCBS waiver and are moving from a qualifying nursing facility or intermediate care facility into the community. Expanded transition services may also be available to some people already living in the community after a qualifying life event. Services may include transition coordination, life-skills training, peer mentorship, home-delivered meals, and transition setup.

Participation is voluntary. Planning should reflect the individual’s needs, preferences, abilities, and safety, with support from family members, trusted supporters, or a legally authorized representative when applicable.

Working and have a disability?

Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities

Allows an employed person age 16 or older with a qualifying disability to buy into Health First Colorado when income is too high for regular Medicaid eligibility but remains within program limits. A monthly premium may apply based on income.

If you work and have a disability, there may be a way to qualify for Health First Colorado even if your income is too high for regular Medicaid.

Federal Disability Benefits

These federal programs may provide financial support when a disability affects a person’s ability to work or when specific disability and financial requirements are met.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Provides monthly payments to people with qualifying disabilities who have limited income and resources. Eligibility is determined by the Social Security Administration and is not based solely on a genetic diagnosis.

  • Phone: Social Security: 800-772-1213; TTY: 800-325-0778

  • Website: SSI

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Provides benefits to eligible people whose disability limits their ability to work and who have sufficient work history through their own employment or, in some circumstances, through a parent’s Social Security record. Eligibility and payment rules vary.

  • Phone: Social Security: 800-772-1213; TTY: 800-325-0778

  • Website: SSDI

Health, Food, Cash & Household Assistance

Health First Colorado

Colorado’s Medicaid program provides health coverage to adults who meet program requirements.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Provides eligible households with a monthly food benefit through an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. Eligibility is based on factors such as income, household size, and resources.

Colorado Works

Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program may provide qualifying families with cash assistance, employment services, education, training, and other supports.

Adult Financial Programs

Colorado administers programs such as Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only and Aid to the Needy Disabled-Colorado Supplement for eligible adults who meet program-specific disability, income, resource, and residency requirements. These programs are generally accessed through the county human-services department.

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

Helps eligible Colorado households with a portion of winter home-heating costs. The regular application season generally runs from November 1 through April 30; current dates and requirements should be confirmed.

If your family needs help with healthcare, food, household expenses or other everyday needs, these programs may be worth exploring.

Transportation & Local Resource Navigation

Health First Colorado Transportation

Eligible Health First Colorado members may qualify for transportation to covered medical appointments or for certain non-medical transportation through an authorized HCBS or CFC service plan. Availability, authorization, and scheduling depend on the benefit and county.

211 Colorado

Not sure where else to start? 211 can help you find local resources based on what you need.

A confidential, multilingual statewide information and referral service covering food, housing, health services, disability supports, transportation, utility assistance, employment, and other local resources.

  • Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or 866-760-6489; text ZIP code to 898-211

  • Website: 211 Colorado

Regional Accountable Entity

Health First Colorado members are connected with a Regional Accountable Entity that may help them understand physical and behavioral-health benefits, find participating providers, and connect with community supports.

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Need a ride or not sure who can help? These resources can connect you with transportation and other support in your community.

A quick note before you go…

Programs, benefits and eligibility requirements can change over time. Before you apply, check the official program website or contact Colorado PEAK or your local Case Management Agency for the most current information about eligibility, benefits, waitlists, available providers and costs.