Food
Food Assistance program also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families.
BENEFIT CHANGES
Changes to monthly food benefits have started. All households should anticipate a decrease in food benefits.
The end of the nation-wide Public Health Emergency (PHE) will present many Jefferson County residents with unique challenges as we navigate the loss of benefits put in place by the federal government to support residents and families amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. Benefits that will be impacted in the coming weeks and months include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP food benefits) and Medicaid benefits. Most households will see a minimum of a $95 reduction in benefits. For resources, see the Community Resources Page and FAQ document for SNAP and Medicaid benefits.
Questions about SNAP Benefits?
SNAP Interactive Voice Response Call Center is live. Call 800-816-4451 for real-time information about your benefits, case status, and SNAP updates.
Guidelines
Customers are seen by appointment for food assistance, Medicaid, and financial supports. Services are encouraged to be accessed online or virtually whenever possible. Please sign up for an appointment on the Schedule An Appointment page.
Benefits Launch
Benefits Launch is a free online tool which helps determine the best application process for your unique situation, completing an application with ease. The process takes 1-3 minutes and is easy to use.
You can determine eligibility for SNAP benefits and determine the easiest method of enrollment (in-person, online, or over the phone). Eligibility and benefit amounts may vary based on individual or household circumstances.
How to Apply
Provide the following:
1. A completed Application for Assistance
- Apply on-line using PEAK (Program Eligibility and Application Kit)
2. The following is a list of other items you may need to provide:
- Social Security number for all household members, and
- Proof of monthly income, and
- Identification for the Head of Household, and
- Proof of basic expenses, such as
- Child care costs, if applicable, and
- Child support being paid, if applicable
- If over 60 years of age, or disabled as defined by the Social Security Administration, you may also need to provide proof of medical expenses over $35.00, if applicable.
If you do not have all the other items listed above, sign and submit your application anyway. We will follow-up with you.
What Happens Next
- Once the application is received, an appointment is scheduled with an Eligibility Specialist to determine eligibility.
- The appointment can be completed over the phone.
- You can check the status of your application online by visiting the PEAK website or using the PEAK Chatbot tool.
- Food Assistance is issued on Colorado Quest (Electronic Benefit Transfer EBT) cards.
Food Banks / Programs
View a list of local food banks and organizations that provide assistance to the community.
Double Up Food Bucks Colorado flyers in English and Spanish.
Authorized Representative
In order to speak on the behalf of, or gather any information about, the individual receiving benefits, complete the Authorized Representative Form (PDF) and submit to Human Services.
SNAP and FDPIR Nondiscrimination Statement for Joint Application Form
In accordance with federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Programs that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and programs HHS directly operates are also prohibited from discrimination under federal civil rights laws and HHS regulations.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS INVOLVING USDA PROGRAMS
USDA provides federal financial assistance for many food security and hunger reduction programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and others. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online, and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA at 1320 Braddock Place, Room 334, Alexandria, VA 22314; or
- fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
- phone: (833) 620-1071; or
- email: FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS
For any other information regarding SNAP issues, persons should either contact the USDA SNAP hotline number at (800) 221-5689, which is also in Spanish, or call the state information/hotline numbers (click the link for a listing of hotline numbers by state); found online at: SNAP hotline.
CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS INVOLVING HHS PROGRAMS
HHS provides federal financial assistance for many programs to enhance health and well-being, including TANF, Head Start, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and others. If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), or religion in programs or activities that HHS directly operates or to which HHS provides federal financial assistance, you may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for yourself or for someone else.
To file a complaint of discrimination for yourself or someone else regarding a program receiving federal financial assistance through HHS, complete the form on line through OCR’s Complaint Portal. You may also contact OCR via mail at: Centralized Case Management Operations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 509F HHH Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20201; fax: (202) 619-3818; or email. For faster processing, we encourage you to use the OCR online portal to file complaints rather than filing via mail. Persons who need assistance with filing a civil rights complaint can email OCR or call OCR toll-free at 1-800-368-1019, TDD 1-800-537-7697. For persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech difficulties, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. We also provide alternative formats (such as Braille and large print), auxiliary aids and language assistance services free of charge for filing a complaint.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.