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Colorado Works TANF
Colorado Works is your partner to learn, grow and succeed! Colorado Works, also known as Colorado’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, provides financial assistance, job preparation and work opportunities to needy families with children on a temporary basis, to achieve economic and family stability. The amount of financial aid provided is based on family size and income.
In addition to monthly financial assistance, you will benefit from the full range of employment, educational and health/wellness services for you and your children. On top of that, you will work closely with a Career and Family Coordinator to establish goals and make progress on them for your family. We'll help you get started and be there to support you when challenges come your way. This is a partnership environment, designed to help you on your journey to stability and success. There is a lifetime limit on benefits and monthly progress goals must be achieved to keep receiving financial assistance.
Next Steps/Resources
At orientation, you will be introduced to many resources that are part of the Colorado Works program. These resources are designed to help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself and your family and are available to you as part of your required, monthly participation in the program. Below is a list of some of the resources that other Colorado Works participants have found the most helpful, but there are many, many more!
Job Skills Workshops
Through Jefferson County Human Services, the Business & Workforce Center, a proud partner of the American Job Center Network, provides quality training, tools and resources to assist individuals in their pathway to employment and personal growth. Whether you are currently unemployed, under-employed or simply looking to change jobs, attending these workshops will help you to become fully prepared to secure and advance your career. Training is free but space is limited.
Tuition Assistance
Education can be the key to better paying jobs and your next career! We know that paying your bills while going to school can be difficult. We may be able to help with your tuition costs! Talk to your Career and Family Coordinator about how to access tuition assistance.
Internships
If you have been out of work for a while, job searching but not getting hired, or if you are thinking of changing jobs or careers, an internship could be the answer. These 12-week paid and unpaid training experiences are designed to give you job skills, a new professional reference, and recent work experience for your resume. We have opportunities in many occupations across Jefferson County.
Other Types of Support Available
There are many types of support available to you while you participate in the Colorado Works (TANF) program. We want to help you learn, grow and succeed. Options include Medical and Mental Health, Supportive Services and Child Care Assistance.
Medical & Mental Health Support
Sometimes, medical or mental health concerns that you or your family may have can have a big impact on your ability to find and keep a job. We have a unique, in-house system designed to support the well-being of your family while helping you continue to achieve your goals. Individual and family therapists from Jefferson Center for Mental Health are on-site to provide counseling. When you are ready to return to work, employment specialists will support your job search and help connect you to employers. If, unfortunately, you find that you can no longer work, a Disability Benefits Advisor can assist you in filing a new claim for Social Security.
Supportive Services
We know that you are counting every penny to make ends meet for your family, and extra or unexpected expenses can often cause you to delay achieving a goal. We want to you to be successful in your participation in Colorado Works so support is available for transportation, interview or work clothing, getting birth certificates or other documents, earning certifications and/or GED or ESL classes. In some circumstances, support may be available for rental assistance, storage fees, or vehicle repairs. You must be actively participating and meeting program and personal goals to be considered for Supportive Services.
Child Care
It is hard to concentrate on your education, job searching, employment and other goals until you know your children are safe and being well cared for. If you need Child Care, Colorado Works participants are eligible for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). In this program, you select one of the over 350 child care providers we partner with and CCAP helps to pay the cost while you are participating in the program by taking classes, looking for a job, volunteering to gain job skills, or working. Be sure to let us know when you start a new job! We can help with transportation costs for the first month.
Get Started
First, apply for TANF Assistance by completing a PEAK Application for Assistance.
Once the application is received, an appointment is scheduled for an interview with an Eligibility Specialist to determine eligibility. The interview will be completed by phone. At that time, you will be referred to Child Support Services and the Colorado Works orientation, which are required steps to receive the cash benefits. You will need to attend an orientation within 14 days, where you learn about all the great resources available to you and your family. This is where we will start talking about your hopes, dreams and goals as well as services and expectations. Orientations are held each Monday and Wednesday at 10am virtually.
Note
On the 4th week of each month, orientation is held on Mondays and Tuesdays at 10am and done virtually.
For more information, visit the State of Colorado's Colorado Works website.
Below are some commonly used forms that your Career and Family Coordinator (CFC) may ask for you to turn in. If you have any questions, please reach out to your CFC for help. We want to spend your time improving yourself, not struggling with forms.
- Child Care Search Logs
- Education Packet
- Employment Verification (PDF)
- Housing Search Logs
- Job Search Logs
- Self-Employment Ledger
- Supportive Service Request
- Timesheet for Education
- Timesheet for Holds
- Timesheet for Volunteering
- Timesheet for Working/General
One-Time Emergency Funds
Not enough money in your emergency fund or no emergency fund at all? We’re here to help you if you are employed and are experiencing a temporary financial crisis. If this describes your situation, you may qualify for emergency cash assistance called a Diversion. While not available for ongoing needs, these funds can help you survive a crisis, such as:
- Breakdown of primary transportation
- Overdue Phone, utilities bills
- Rental or housing assistance
Application, eligibility interview, and documentation will be required to access these one-time, emergency funds.