What Is Considered Low Income for Seniors in Colorado?

Seniors in Colorado are considered low-income when their total annual gross household income is less than 80% of the median annual income in the area, adjusted by the number of people in the household. In Colorado, the median household income is $80,184 and the per capita income is $42,807, according to the 2021 U.S. Census. Using the 80% rule, a single senior with an annual income of $34,245.60 or less would be considered low-income.

However, many assistance programs have much lower annual income requirements. Medicaid, for example, requires a senior 65 or older or an adult with disabilities younger than 65 with a household size of one to make less than $18,075 annually, or $1,506.25 monthly, to qualify for assistance. Low-income seniors in Colorado seeking assistance should contact their local Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services office for more information on which programs they may qualify for and the application process.

Several state-sponsored programs are available for low-income seniors in Colorado if they meet financial eligibility. Often, these programs require a much lower income than what is considered a low income in Colorado for households of one or two. Some of these programs include housing assistance, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

These programs are designed to meet the needs of people who otherwise do not have enough funds to make ends meet. They can assist with health care, food, energy and heating costs and many other necessities. Additionally, there are programs available for seniors in need of care, often offered through Medicaid waivers for personal care assistants and other aides in the home.

Colorado provides some coverage for home health care for low-income seniors through it’s Health First Colorado program. This program is a part of the state’s Medicaid program and allows low-income seniors and their families to manage long-term care services and supports at home to keep them out of a nursing facility. This is provided under the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers.

These programs cover a range of services depending on the needs of the senior and income level, including personal care, health maintenance and homemaker services. These services can assist with activities of daily living, provide skilled nursing care and help with maintaining a clean, healthy and safe living environment. This support for seniors can be instrumental in keeping them in their homes.