State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Colorado. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Income and Social Security
Colorado SSI supplement
Colorado's Old Age Pension (OAP) is a state-paid monthly cash grant, written into the state constitution, for people 60 and older with low income. It also comes with state health coverage.
It is paid by the state, not in your SSI check, so you apply at your county human services office.
How to apply in Colorado
- In person
- Your county department of human services. You fill out a written application with a county worker.
- Who runs it
- County departments of human services (Colorado Old Age Pension program)
Who may qualify in Colorado
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Savings limit | Under $2,000 | Under $3,000 |
| Age | 60 or older |
|---|---|
| Income | Total monthly income below about 80% of the federal poverty level (higher if you get a home care allowance). Your county office has the exact amount. |
| Residency | Must live in Colorado |
What you may get
| Monthly grant, one person living on their own (2026) | Depends on your other income. Your county human services office can tell you the current amount. |
|---|---|
| Health coverage | All OAP recipients qualify for state medical coverage, including hospital, doctor and pharmacy services |
How Colorado is different
Where Colorado's rules differ from the federal rules for State SSI supplements.
- Paid separately by the state; apply with your county department of human services
- Starts at age 60, not 65
- All non-citizens may apply for OAP
Good to know
- Some OAP recipients may also get a home care allowance, adult foster care or nursing home care.
- A Medicaid lien may be placed on property, to be collected after death, for people over 55 or in long-term care.
Free help
Free help with this in Colorado
Colorado State Unit on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Colorado
State SSI supplement in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Sources
- Mesa County Department of Human Services, Old Age Pension (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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