Nurturing Futures Direct Cash Assistance Program

How the Program Works

• Families get a payment at the start of each month.
• AidKit handles applications, payments, and support for participants.
• Families choose how to use the money based on what they need.

Why Boulder County Uses Direct Cash Assistance

Direct cash assistance helps families meet their needs today and build stronger families and communities for tomorrow. We want to support parents so they can focus on their children.

How Payments Affect Other Benefits

Direct cash assistance may affect other public benefits. We’ll have more details on this as we get closer to opening the application.

What’s Changing

If you are already in Nurturing Futures:

• Your $300 monthly payment continues through the end of 2026.
• In fall 2026, we will open an application window for families who want to take part in 2027.
• Starting in January 2027, monthly payments will rise to $600. Payments will continue through December 2027

How to Reapply for 2027

You will get a chance to reapply for the extended program. We expect the window to stay open for about one month in fall 2026. We will post exact dates as soon as we can.

To reapply, you must:

• Live in Boulder County now and stay here for the whole program.
• Have at least one child under age 4 when you apply.
• Be 18 or older when you apply.

If you are already in the program, you do not need to meet income limits to reapply.

Questions or Need Help?

Contact us anytime with questions or to update your contact information. If possible, use the same email or phone number from your application.

• Email: support@nurturingfutures.aidkit.org
• Phone or text: 720-734-4999

We will respond within five days.

New families can apply for Nurturing Futures in fall 2026 to join the program in 2027. Sign up for our interest list and we will let you know when the application opens in fall 2026.

Who Can Apply

To qualify, you must:

• Live in Boulder County now and stay here for the whole time you are in the program.
• Have at least one child under age 4 when you apply.
• Be 18 or older when you apply.
• Have a household income before taxes at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). AMI is the middle income for the area.

One application per household: A child under 4 can be named on only one application. If two households share custody of the same child, only the first application submitted is accepted.

How We Figure Your Income

When you apply, we look at your household income before taxes, sometimes called your gross income. It must be at or below 30% of AMI.

To add up your income before taxes, include all money, taxable and not taxable, for everyone in your household. That means you, your spouse or partner, and anyone who depends on you, such as children, students, or family members who are elderly, sick, or disabled.

Note: The meaning of “household income” changes from program to program. This is the meaning for Nurturing Futures.

What Counts as a Household

A household is a group of people who live together and share expenses. Your household includes you, your spouse or partner, and anyone who depends on you for most of their expenses. If you live with people who support themselves, you count as separate households. Do not count roommates or tenants.

The next application window opens in fall 2026 and stays open for about one month. We will share exact dates once they are set. If you think you may qualify, sign up for our interest list and we will send you a text or email when it opens.

You will be able to apply:

• Online
• On a phone
• At an in-person enrollment event

How Payments Could Affect Your Benefits

If you get public assistance, the money from Nurturing Futures could change your other benefits. This includes:

• SNAP (food stamps)
• Colorado Works (TANF)
• Health First Colorado (Medicaid)

We’ll share more details as we get closer to opening the application.

Applying for the Program

Who can apply?

It depends on whether you are already in the program. Current participants can reapply without meeting income limits. New families must meet income and other rules. For the full list, see the “Information for Current Participants” and “Am I Eligible?” tabs.

I do not have a permanent address. Can I still apply?

Yes. You may need to work with your local shelter or a transition service provider to show that you live in Boulder County.

Can I apply more than once?

No. We accept only one application per household. Sending more than one will not improve your chance of being selected.

Is there a limit on how many families can apply?

No. We accept applications until the deadline. Keep in mind that applying does not guarantee a spot. See “How Are People Selected?” to learn how we choose families.

Your Payments and Benefits

Can I spend the money on anything?

Yes. You can spend it on whatever your family needs.

How could Nurturing Futures affect my other benefits?

The money could change some of your other public benefits. We’ll share more details as we get closer to opening the application.

Do I pay taxes on this money?

Boulder County cannot give tax advice. For any tax questions about money you get from Nurturing Futures, please talk to a tax professional.

What happens to the money that does not go to families?

We use it to run the program. This includes:

• Paying AidKit to run the application system
• Staff costs
• Communications
• Other program expenses

After You Apply

When will I know if I was selected?

Within four weeks after the deadline, we will text or email every applicant. We will tell you whether you were:

• Selected for the program, or
• Not selected

We’ll have more details on this as we get closer to opening the application.

How do I update my contact information?

Contact AidKit:

• Email: support@nurturingfutures.aidkit.org
• Phone: 720-734-4999