Aid to the Needy Disabled / Aid to the Blind
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Aid to the Needy Disabled / Aid to the Blind

Important notice: Reports show a rise in SNAP and TANF fund theft in our area. If you participate in a cash program, protect your benefits by changing your EBT card personal identification number. Learn more about how to protect your benefits.

These programs provide financial help for Colorado residents with low incomes who cannot work because of a disability:

  • Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND): For people ages 18 to 59 with a disability lasting at least six months.
  • Aid to the Blind (AB): For people under age 60 who are blind or have a disability lasting at least six months.

Both programs require applicants to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and provide various documents for verification, with income and resource limits determining eligibility. Benefits will begin one month after all eligibility requirements have been met and can be accessed using a provided Quest (EBT) Card.

Eligibility

To qualify for AND or AB program benefits you must meet these eligibility requirements:

  • Be the right age:
    • For AND: 18 to 59 years old
    • For AB: Under 60 years old
  • Be a U.S. citizen, a naturalized citizen, or a legal resident
  • Live in Boulder County, Colorado
  • Have a disability:
    • A Colorado doctor must say you can’t work for at least six months because of your disability.
    • For AND: Print and take the “Med 9” form to your doctor to fill out.
    • For AB: Print and take the “AB-5” form to your eye doctor to fill out.
  • Apply for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
  • Have a low income and few resources

Income and Resource Limits

What counts as income?

  • Income is any money or support you use to pay for things like food or a place to live. Examples of income include:
    • Social Security payments
    • SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
    • Veterans’ benefits
    • Retirement pensions
    • Disability benefits
    • Wages from a job

Income limits:

    • If you have a job, your earnings can’t be more than $189 per month.

What counts as a resource?

  • Cash
  • Bank accounts (checking or savings)
  • Certificates of deposit
  • Vehicles (including recreational vehicles)
  • Extra property you own
  • Stocks, bonds, or retirement accounts
  • Burial contracts or life insurance policies

Resource limits:

    • You can have up to $2,000 in countable resources if you’re single or $3,000 if you’re married.

Learn more about income limits for these programs. You need to report and show proof of all income. Check the “Documents You’ll Need” section to learn more about what types of documents are needed to verify income and resources.

Apply for Benefits

You have a few ways to apply for Colorado Financial, Medical, and Food Assistance:
  1. Get an application:
  2. Submit your application:
    • Fill it out and send it by mail, fax, or bring it in person to one of our offices.
  3. Need help applying?
    • You can ask someone else to apply for you. This person is called an “authorized representative.”
    • You’ll need to give them written permission to apply on your behalf.

Documents You'll Need

Documents you’ll need when Applying AND or AB

Proof of age, such as:

  • Birth certificate
  • Baptismal certificate
  • Statement from Social Security
  • Driver’s license
  • Picture identification card
  • Military discharge papers
  • Alien registration card
  • Naturalization papers

Proof of citizenship, such as:

  • Birth certificate, citizenship record, or Affidavit
  • Social Security card
  • Naturalization papers
  • Passport
  • Alien registration papers

Proof of Colorado residency, such as:

  • Client statement
  • Rent receipt
  • Mortgage statement
  • Lease agreement
  • Voter registration
  • Utility bill
  • Phone bill

Proof of your and your spouse’s gross income, such as:

  • Payroll check stubs
  • Letter from employer
  • Tax return
  • Statement of social security and SSI
  • Copies of checks for child support, alimony, self-employment, financial aid
  • Award letter

Proof of resources, such as:

  • Bank statements or letter from bank
  • Vehicle registration
  • Letter from the broker
  • Letter from Assessor’s office
  • Life insurance policy or letter from insurance company
  • Burial contract or policies
  • Tax return
  • Investment funds, stocks or bonds

Proof of application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), such as:

  • Receipt or letter from Social Security Administration showing application has been filed


Do not wait to apply if you do not have all of the verifications needed. You can gather information after your application has been received.

Get Help With Your Application

For help applying, call Boulder County Human Services at 303-441-1000. You can also come into one of our offices for help applying in person.

Boulder Location

3460 Broadway
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Longmont Location

515 Coffman St.. Longmont
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Lafayette Location

1755 S. Public Road, Lafayette
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday
Closed 1-2 p.m. for lunch.

Related Links

Colorado PEAK is a State online service for Coloradoans to screen themselves and apply for medical, food, and cash assistance programs.

Colorado Peak logo

Visit Colorado PEAK to see if you are eligible and to apply!

Contact Us

Human Services

Phone: 303-441-1000
TTY: 1-800-659-3656
Fax: 303-441-1523
Submit a question

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306

Boulder Location

3460 Broadway, Boulder
Fax: 720-564-2283
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Longmont Location

515 Coffman St., Longmont
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Lafayette Location

1755 S. Public Road, Lafayette
Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday
Closed 1-2 p.m. for lunch.

Human Services website

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