Old Age Pension (OAP)

Financial Benefits

If you qualify, OAP can give you up to $1,005 each month to help with living costs.

If you also get money from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Veteran’s Assistance, your OAP payment may be lower.

Medical Benefits

Some people who get OAP also qualify for health coverage:

• Ages 60–64: You may get help through Colorado’s OAP Health Care Program.
• Ages 65 and older: You may qualify for Medicaid.

Colorado PEAK is an online tool that will tell you qualify for medical, food, and cash assistance programs, including OAP. Visit Colorado PEAK.

To get OAP, you must:

• Be 60 years old or older
• Have a monthly income of $1,005 or less
• Have limited savings and resources ($2,000 or less for one person, $3,000 or less for a married couple)

Choose the option that works best for you:

Apply online (fastest)

• Use Colorado PEAK to check eligibility and apply for medical, food, and cash assistance, including OAP.

Apply on paper

• Print an OAP application (solicitud de pensionado), or pick up a copy at a Human Services office
• Return it by fax, mail, or in person:
  • Fax: 303-441-1523
  • Email: imaging@bouldercounty.gov
  • In person (drop-off hours):
    • Boulder: 3460 N. Broadway — Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m
    • Longmont: 515 Coffman St. — Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
    • Lafayette: 1755 S. Public Road — Tuesday/Thursday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Need help or can’t get to an office?

Call 303-441-1000 to request a phone appointment or a home visit.

You may be asked to show proof of your age, residency, income, and resources when you apply. If you do not have everything right away, you can still apply and turn in documents later.

Proof of age

You’ll need one of the following:

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal Certificate
• Statement from Social Security
• Driver’s License
• Picture Identification Card
• Military Discharge Papers
• Alien Registration Card
• Naturalization Papers

Proof of Colorado residency

You’ll need one of the following:

• Client Statement
• Rent Receipt
• Lease Agreement
• Mortgage Statement
• Voter Registration
• Utility Bill
• Phone Bill

Income

You’ll need to show one or more of the following (for yourself and your spouse if you have one):

• Pay stubs
• Employer letter
• Social Security or SSI statement
• Tax return
• Proof of child support, alimony, or self-employment income

Resources

You’ll need to show proof of your resources. This may include any of the following:

• Cash
• Bank Statements (for your checking, savings, investments, and Certificate of Deposits (CDs))
• Vehicle Registration (for cars, boats, or motor homes)
• Life Insurance Policy
• Burial Contract or Policy
• Tax Return
• Letter from the County Assessor’s Office

Note: Some resources may not count toward the limit. Staff can explain what does and doesn’t count.

Other Requirements

• Proof that you have applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), if asked. This could be a letter from Social Security showing you filed an application and kept your appointments.

Answer: You will get your benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, also known in Colorado as a Quest Card. This card works like a debit card. You can use it at the grocery store, at ATMs, or anywhere that accepts debit. You’ll have your own private PIN to keep it secure.

For cash programs like Old Age Pension (OAP), the day you get your benefits depends on the last number of your Social Security Number (SNN). See the chart below for your payment date.

Question: What is the Health Care Program (HCP)? How is it different from Medicaid?

Answer:

HCP gives medical benefits to people age 60 and older who cannot get Medicaid. You may qualify for HCP if:

• You are a legal resident but have not lived in the U.S. for 5 years or more
• You are under 65 and do not meet the Social Security Administration’s disability rules
• You have more resources than Medicaid allows (for example, a life insurance policy that counts toward the limit)

Question: Where can I get help applying for benefits?

Answer: Call Boulder County Human Services at 303-441-1000. You can also apply in person at one of our offices:

• Boulder – 3460 North Broadway (open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
• Longmont – 515 Coffman St. (open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
• Lafayette – 1755 S. Public Road (open Tuesday, Thursday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

Question: If I get OAP Health Care, where can I learn more about my coverage?

Answer: Call Medicaid Customer Service for details about OAP Health Care, Medicaid, or the Colorado Indigent Care Program:

• Metro Denver Area (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson counties): 303-866-3513
• All other counties: 1-800-221-3943