Apply For Colorado TANF Benefits
Learn how to apply for Colorado TANF. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, called Colorado Works, may help you become self-supportive while receiving monthly cash benefits to meet your everyday needs such as rent, utilities, clothes, transportation, or additional expenses.
Sometimes you may not be eligible to receive TANF for yourself, but a child or children in your household may. The TANF program is administered by the Department of Human Services. In most cases, in order to qualify for TANF you must meet both types of eligibility, categorical and financial.
Additionally, to qualify for TANF there are work requirements. The CO TANF program requires most adults be employed or participate in certain work-related activities, which you will be assigned for a certain number of hours on a weekly basis in order to continue receiving TANF benefits.
The total number of hours needed to fulfill your work activity requirement depends on your family composition. Qualified state residents are required to produce information including household income, age, citizenship and resources.
Only household members who are eligible for Colorado TANF can receive welfare benefits. For more information about applying for CO TANF benefits, view the information below. If you still have questions or issues, then contact TANF Colorado.
Colorado Works
In Colorado, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is known as Colorado Works. It is a cash assistance program that helps eligible families with very low incomes become self-sufficient by encouraging job preparation, work and family stabilization.
Eligible applicants receive monthly cash assistance payments, help with emergency household expenses, and/or services such as counseling, training and employment assistance. The Colorado Works Program operates in all 64 counties and is delivered locally through each county's department of human or social services.
The goals of Colorado Works are:
- Guarantee that county departments and program partners have the what they need to successfully implement financial assistance programs that are both accurate and timely
- 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 well-being
Colorado TANF eligibility
Colorado Works is available for families with dependent children or parents of an unborn child. The requirements include:
- Being a US Citizen or legal alien, meet the resource and income guidelines and have a dependent child
- Participate in work activities and comply with Individual Responsibility Contracts
- Establishment of a child support order against the absent parent if a parent is absent from the household
- Documents of income: bank accounts, investments and vehicles
Apply for Colorado TANF
To apply for Colorado Works assistance, simply fill out the application form and submit it to your local county office. Or if you prefer, you can apply for TANF online through the Colorado PEAK website. Colorado PEAK is a State online service for Coloradoans to screen themselves and apply for medical, food, and cash assistance programs.
Documents needed when applying for TANF
You will need to provide the following information when applying for Colorado Works:
- Completed Application Forms
- Proof of Relationship to the Children (Birth Certificates)
- Proof of Monthly Income
- Immunization Records for Children
- Proof of Residence
- Social Security Numbers for all Household Members
- Proof of all Household Resources
- A Valid Colorado ID or Drivers License
- Proof of Lawful Presence in the US and a signed affidavit for applicants 18 years or older
- Proof of Pregnancy (where applicable)
Can I receive Colorado Works if I am a full-time college student?
In some cases. All Colorado Works clients must participate in job readiness activities with the Work Force Center. Some schooling will be allowed as a countable activity, but not there is no guarantee. If you are a student, the staff at Work Force Center can discuss this with you in greater detail.
Can I receive Colorado Works for a relative or a child I am responsible for but not related to?
In some cases you may be able to receive Colorado Works for children, other than your own biological children. You must provide verification of your relationship to the child and be able to prove you are responsible for that child.
State and local agencies are responsible for establishing the eligibility criteria and procedures that apply in their programs, not the Federal government. If you disagree with a decision regarding welfare benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. For more information about your state's appeals procedures, contact the CO TANF office.