Cash Assistance
It can be hard to make ends meet and pay for basic needs like food, housing, and clothing. But there are programs and services that can help you.
With Colorado Works (also known as Colorado TANF), you can receive temporary cash assistance, resources, and services to help with your family’s basic needs as you work toward a more stable future. As part of the program, you’ll focus on building new skills, finding a job, and becoming more independent—all with the support of a case manager who’s there to help you reach your goals.
If you have a disability, the Colorado Adult Financial Program may be able to help you. This program offers temporary financial assistance for essential expenses and necessities while you apply for federal Supplemental Security Income.
On this page, you will find info about these programs, including how to apply and what you need to qualify.
Colorado Works
Who can apply for Colorado Works?
If you’re struggling to meet your family’s basic needs, Colorado Works may be able to help. You might qualify if:
You’re pregnant (single or in a relationship) and need financial support.
You’re a parent, legal guardian, or foster caregiver with children under 18 (or under 19 if they’re still in school) and have a low income.
Your family is dealing with challenges like unemployment, disability, parent absence, or the loss of a parent.
You’re part of a two-parent family and need temporary help to regain financial stability.
What are the eligibility requirements for Colorado Works?
To get help through Colorado Works, you need to:
Be a Colorado resident.
Be a legal U.S. citizen.
Be pregnant or have at least one child under 18 (or under 19 if they’re still in school).
Have a family income and resources below the state’s limits, including money from jobs, unemployment benefits, child support, and other sources.
Not have received more than 60 months of TANF/cash assistance in your lifetime.
Provide proof of income, expenses, and other resources.
Participate in activities that prepare you for work, like job training, education, community service, or searching for a job.
What else should I know?
If you qualify for Colorado Works, there are a few more things to keep in mind:
Work Activities: Adults in the program are required to take part in work-related activities, like job training, searching for a job, or working. These activities are outlined in an Individual Responsibility Contract that you’ll create with your caseworker.
We Are Here to Help: You won’t have to do this alone. The Mesa County Department of Human Services and the Mesa County Workforce Center will provide support, training, and employment services to help you succeed.
Child Support Cooperation: You may be asked to work with the Mesa County Child Support Services team to establish parentage or set up child support payments, but you won’t have to handle it on your own. We will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and take care of things like creating a support order and making sure payments are enforced, so you can focus on what matters most.
These steps are designed to help you gain independence and achieve your goals while receiving support from the program. If you have any questions, your caseworker is there to guide you!
Apply Today!
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, it’s okay to apply! Every family’s situation is unique, and we’re here to help you find out what support is available to you.
The best way to find out is to start your application today! If you don’t qualify right now, that’s okay—your situation might change, and you can apply again anytime.
How to Apply for Colorado Works in Mesa County:
You can apply for Colorado Works in several ways, depending on what works best for you:
Online:
Complete an application on the Colorado PEAK website.
In-Person
Stop by the Mesa County Department of Human Services offices.
Address: 510 29 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday.
Apply by Mail:
Call the Mesa County Department of Human Services at (970) 256-2434 to request an application be mailed to you. Once completed, you can mail it back or drop it off at the address above.
Need Help or Have Questions?
Reach out to the Mesa County Dept. of Human Services Call Center at (970) 256-2434 for help with:
Submitting an application
Eligibility questions
Checking your application status
Scheduling an interview
Paperwork questions
Reporting changes in your household or income
Applying for SNAP, Medicaid, and other services.
Call Center Hours
Monday–Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
What to Expect after You Apply for Colorado Works:
Interview
Once your application is received, a caseworker will contact you to schedule an interview. During the interview, they’ll learn more about your family’s situation and determine what assistance you may qualify for.
Documentation
You may need to provide documents, such as proof of income, identification, and details about your household. Don’t worry—your caseworker will tell you what you need to submit.
How You’ll Receive Colorado Works Payments:
If your family qualifies for Colorado Works, you’ll receive payments to help with essential expenses. Payments are loaded onto an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card each month. The amount you get depends on a few factors, like how many people in your family qualify and how much income your family earns.
You can also choose to have your cash assistance deposited directly into your bank account. Just fill out the Direct Deposit Enrollment Form to set it up.
What is Colorado PEAK?
Colorado PEAK is an online service where you can apply for benefits such as Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). It allows you to check your eligibility, submit applications, and manage your benefits all in one place. Colorado PEAK makes it easy to access the health care and financial support you need.
You can also apply for food assistance, cash assistance, and other benefits online using Colorado PEAK.
Is There a Mobile App?
Download the MyCOBenefits app to apply using your mobile phone.
Colorado Adult Financial Program
Who can apply for the Colorado Adult Financial Program?
If you’re living with a disability and need help covering essential expenses, the Colorado Adult Financial Program may be able to support you. This program provides cash assistance to help you with basic living costs while you work toward financial stability or apply for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
You might qualify for the Colorado Adult Financial Program if:
You’re more than 18 years old.
You have a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to work and is expected to last six months or longer.
You live in Colorado and are a U.S. citizen or a qualified legal resident.
Your income and resources are below the Colorado program’s limits.
How to apply for the Colorado Adult Financial Program:
Online:
Complete an application on the Colorado PEAK website.
In-Person
Stop by the Mesa County Department of Human Services offices.
Address: 510 29 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81504
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday.
Apply by Mail:
Call the Mesa County Department of Human Services at (970) 256-2434 to request an application be mailed to you. Once completed, you can mail it back or drop it off at the address above.
Need Help or Have Questions?
Reach out to the Mesa County Dept. of Human Services Call Center at (970) 256-2434 for help with:
Submitting an application
Eligibility questions
Checking your application status
Scheduling an interview
Paperwork questions
Reporting changes in your household or income
Applying for SNAP, Medicaid, and other services.
Call Center Hours
Monday–Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
What to Expect after You Apply for the Colorado Adult Financial Program:
Interview
After you submit your application, a caseworker will contact you to schedule an interview. This is a chance to discuss your situation and see what support you may qualify for.
Documentation
You’ll need to provide some documentation, like proof of your income, resources, age, and residency. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything right away—your caseworker will guide you through the process.
How you’ll receive Colorado Adult Financial Program Payments:
If you qualify, for the Colorado Adult Financial Program, you’ll receive cash assistance to help with your basic living expenses. Payments are typically issued monthly through an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card,
You can also choose to have your cash assistance deposited directly into your bank account. Just fill out the Direct Deposit Enrollment Form to set it up.
Apply Today!
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, it’s okay to apply! The Colorado Adult Financial Program is here to help you through difficult times and provide the support you need to move forward. Don’t wait—apply today!
Additional Support + Services:
If you qualify for Colorado Works or the The Colorado Adult Financial Program you might also be eligible for other benefits, including:
Food Assistance: Through SNAP or Colorado WIC.
Healthcare: Low-cost or free healthcare through Medicaid.
Heating Assistance: Help with home heating costs through LEAP.
You can apply for these programs through the Colorado PEAK website.
Need Help or Have Questions?
Reach out to the Mesa County Dept. of Human Services Call Center at (970) 256-2434 for help with:
Submitting an application
Eligibility questions
Checking your application status
Scheduling an interview
Paperwork questions
Reporting changes in your household or income
Applying for SNAP, Medicaid, and other services.
Call Center Hours
Monday–Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Need More Help?
Help with Cash Assistance Programs is just one way the teams at Mesa County Department of Human Services and Workforce Center can support you. Check out these other resources and services:
-
Food + Grocery Assistance
Resources to help you access nutritious food.
-
Medicaid + Healthcare
Healthcare options for your health and wellness.
-
Cash Assistance
Financial support to help you meet your basic needs.
-
Child Care + Child Support
Help getting child care and child support.
-
Mental Health + Crisis Services
Resources for managing mental health and crises.
Your safety and well-being matter. If you are being abused or neglected or need urgent help, please call our hotline at 970-242-1211.