Nurturing Futures

We are committed to making the application process simple and accessible for you. Here’s what you need to know to prepare:

• Estimated Time: The application usually takes about 15 to 25 minutes to complete. If you are interrupted, you can always come back to the application at any time before the deadline at 11:59pm Mountain Time, August 27, 2024.
• Required Information (multiple forms of all verification types are accepted):
  • Proof of ID
  • Proof of address in Boulder County
  • Proof of Income
  • Proof that a child under age 4 is in your household
• Other Requirements:
  • Applicants are required to provide either a number for a mobile phone that can receive text messages or a valid email address.
    • During the application process you will also be required to verify the phone number or email you provide.
    • If you don’t have a device such as a mobile phone, a tablet, or a computer with a webcam to take a picture, we can work with you to verify your identity using a different method.
• Selfie for Identification: You’ll be required to take a photo of yourself to confirm your form of identification.
• Save Your Progress: You can save your unfinished application progress and return to complete it any time before the application deadline.
• Get help with your application: If you require assistance with this application, please contact AidKit at support@nurturingfutures.aidkit.org or 720-734-4999.

The application opens on August 6, 2024. It will be linked here until 11:59 pm on August 27, 2024.

If your household is currently receiving public assistance benefits, being part of the Nurturing Futures program might affect your eligibility to continue receiving those benefits.

Examples of public assistance benefits include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as “Food Stamps”), Colorado Works/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Health First Colorado (Medicaid), and the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

Please review our Benefits Guide and contact your caseworker or eligibility technician with any questions on how participating in Nurturing Futures might impact your existing benefits.

Benefits Guide:

• English
• Spanish

Within three to four weeks after the application deadline has passed, all applicants will receive a text message or email letting them know whether they have been:

• Selected for the program by random lottery, OR
• Not selected to participate in the program.

If you were selected to participate in the program, no further action is needed on your part. You will begin receiving payments via your preferred payment method on the date indicated.

If you no longer wish to participate in the program, please contact AidKit at support@nurturingfutures.aidkit.org or 720-734-4999 as soon as possible before payment is issued.

Program Participation:

If you are selected to enroll in the program, please keep the following in mind:

• To receive money for the full two years, you must live in Boulder County the entire time. Moving outside Boulder County means you can no longer participate in the program.
• You will be given an option on how you receive the $300 each month. You may receive it either as a direct cash transfer into a bank account or on a debit card that will be reloaded monthly.
• You will be asked to complete quarterly anonymous surveys. The purpose of the anonymous surveys is to understand how the money is impacting households. An additional financial incentive will be provided for those who complete a survey.

Question: How long does the application take?

Answer: The application can be completed in about 15 – 25 minutes. You can start your application and complete it at a later time. To edit your application, you must contact AidKit support at support@nurturingfutures.aidkit.org or 720-734-4999.

Question: Can I apply more than once?

Answer: The Nurturing Futures program will only accept one application per household. Submitting multiple applications for your household will not increase your chance of being selected for enrollment.

Question: How will this program impact my public assistance benefits?

Answer: Participating in Nurturing Futures may impact your other benefits. To learn more, please visit the “Benefits Guide for Those Already Receiving Public Assistance” tab.

Question: Are there any limits on the number of households that can apply for the Nurturing Futures program?

Answer: No. Nurturing Futures will continue to accept applications until the deadline.

Question: How much assistance can I expect to receive?

Answer: Participating households will receive $300 each month for the duration of the program.

Question: Does the money have to be used on certain things?

Answer: There are no restrictions on how the money from this program can be spent. Nurturing Futures participants can spend the money they receive according to their specific needs and priorities.

Question: Is assistance temporary or ongoing?

Answer: Nurturing Futures is designed to provide temporary support to families in need. Participating households will receive money for two years (24 months). While the assistance is not permanent, our goal is to provide meaningful support during a crucial period for families with a young child or young children.

Question: Who qualifies for the program?

Answer: To qualify for the program, you must:

• Currently live in Boulder County
• Have at least one child under the age of 4 when you apply
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a total household income before taxes (known as your “gross income”) at or below 30% of Area Median Income

Please see the “Applicant Eligibility” tab for more details.

Question: What does it mean to be categorically eligible?

Answer: Categorical eligibility means that households may be considered income-qualified for the Nurturing Futures program if they already receive Medicaid or are enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF, also known as Colorado Works). During the application process, you can choose to provide information to verify your participation in these benefits, which helps us process applications smoothly and efficiently. Providing this information in the application is completely optional. You are not required to receive these benefits to participate in Nurturing Futures.

Question: Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to participate?

Answer: This program is open to all residents of Boulder County, regardless of your legal immigration status. That means that if you are not a legal resident and you meet the eligibility criteria above, you are eligible to participate. You will not be asked about your citizenship or immigration status in the application, and we will not share information on legal immigration status with any government agency, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), unless required to by law or court order.

Question: My family is homeless and I do not have a permanent address. Can I apply?

Answer: Yes, you can apply. For documentation, you may need to work with your local shelter or transition service provider to prove that you reside in Boulder.

Question: How will people be selected for the program?

Answer: Participants will be randomly selected by computer. Just like a lottery drawing, everyone who qualifies and has applied on time has an equal chance of being randomly selected.

Question: When will I know if I have been selected?

Answer: Within three to four weeks after the application deadline, all applicants will receive a text message or email letting them know whether they have been:

• Selected for the program by random lottery, OR
• Not selected to participate in the program.

If you were selected to participate in the program, no further action is needed on your part. You will begin receiving payments via your preferred payment method on the date indicated.

If you no longer wish to participate in the program, please contact AidKit at support@nurturingfutures.aidkit.org or 720-734-4999 as soon as possible before payment is issued.

Question: How will my information be used?

Answer: The information you submit in your application will only be used to determine your eligibility for Nurturing Futures. The platform used to distribute your money keeps your information confidential.

This application will ask questions to help us determine your eligibility for Nurturing Futures. None of the information you provide will be shared with other parties without your consent, except as required for program administration and by law. We will securely store any information you share in the application stage. In the unlikely event of a data breach, you will be informed.

Question: I submitted an application and now I need to update my contact information. How do I do that?

Answer: Please contact AidKit directly at support@nurturingfutures.aidkit.org or 720-734-4999.

Question: I was not selected to participate in the program, but I still need help. Are there other resources available?

Answer: There are many programs and benefits available to low-income households. Please visit Please visit Boco.org/HumanServices and www.FindHelp.org for more information.

Question: Do I have to report the money received from this program on my tax returns?

Answer: Federal guidance has currently indicated that income from this program will be recognized as a “gift” on tax returns, meaning that participants will not need to pay taxes on this money. Please note that the Federal Government is still deciding how to recognize money from direct cash assistance programs and over time, this may change. We recommend contacting a tax professional with any additional questions.

Question: How does the program ensure transparency and accountability in distributing funds?

Answer: Boulder County is committed to transparency and accountability in every aspect of our program. Here’s what we’re doing:

• We have clear and publicly available guidelines for who qualifies and how we give out money.
• We give regular reports to the community and stakeholders about how money is being used, how the money is helping families, and any problems we are facing.
• We are committed to hearing from families and the community to address concerns, improve our process, and maintain trust.
• Our program is reviewed to make sure funds are used effectively and responsibly.