BENEFITS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Minimum retirement age 62 y.o.

Full retirement age 67 y.o.

Accumulate 40 credits of contributions

1- Online: Create your SSA online profile

2-By appointment: Over the phone or In person

3-Submittung the paper application

Retirement Benefits

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10035.pdf

HOSPITAL INSURANCE

Part A helps to cover expenses for hospital, skilled nursing facilities and hospice.

You need to contribute 40 credits (equals to 10 years of Medicare contributions) to receive it at no cost, otherwise you will pay according to a chart displayed in Medicare.gov

Once you achieve the 40 credits you are entitled to receive Part A

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Part B helps you to cover 80% of the medical cost, like visiting your physician.

You can apply 3 months before the month that you turn 65 y.o., the month of and 3 months after (7 months time frame)

Part B has a cost that changes every year, for 2026 it will be $202.90. The payment goes directly to Social Security.

If you don't apply at your initial enrollment period and you don't have a qualified health insurance you might be penalized.

To apply go to Social Security website

PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN (PDP)

Part D helps cover prescription drug costs.

You must be entitled to  Part A or  sign up for Part B before enrolling in Part D

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

To enroll in Part C you must be entitled to Part A and signed up for Part B. Part C will help you to cover the 20% that Part A & B don't cover with copays, deductibles and max out of pockets.

Types of Medicare Advantage:

• Dual Special Needs Plans DSNP when the person qualifies for MSP and Medicare
• Chronic Special Needs Plan, must have a Chronic illness: heart disease, cardiovascular disease or diabetes
• Regular Medicare Advantage with PDP
• Medicare Advantage only

To apply call us

MEDIGAP

Will only cover the 20% that Part A & B don't cover.

It usually has a deductible similar to Part B

The plans go by letters F, G, L, N, etc

To apply call us: 720-515-3003

A guide to learn about Medicare in and out

You have income, resources limits and pre-required benefits to be able to qualify for LIS

 Resource Limits 

• Full LIS Benefit: $16,590 (individual) / $33,100 (couple).
• With Burial Expenses: $18,090 (individual) / $36,100 (couple).

Income Tiers & Costs (Non-Institutionalized Dual Eligibles) 

• At/Below 100% FPL: $1.60 (Generic) / $4.90 (Brand).
• 100% - 150% FPL: $5.10 (Generic) / $12.65 (Brand).

Source: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0603001005

You can apply online (https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help) or with the form that Social security send you by regular mail

You might be eligible for Disability if you have:

1. A disability or blindness, and
2. Enough work history.

See if you qualify https://www.ssa.gov/disability/eligibility

Follow the steps on the Disability Starter Kit that is appropriate for your case 

Find the appropriate Disability form for your case 

 Medicaid is the State Health Insurance. It takes different names in different states. 

In Colorado is managed by Health First Colorado

For full requirements check the Colorado Medicaid Handbook and to apply go to Health First Colorado  or via PEAK APP

Most Medicaid related programs will require the submission of the following supporting documents:

• Rent/mortgage,
• Utilities, 
• HOA,
• Mortgage taxes,
• Proof of income,
• 3 months of bank statements,
• ID,
• Life Insurance, Final Expenses, funeral/cemetery planning, etc

When you have Medicare, Medicaid takes a different name Medicare Saving Program (MSP) which has 4 levels that go according to the person's income and resources. 

Apply with your Human Services Office or via the Peak application.

Along with the application you need to submit all supporting documents.

This Waiver will help you to obtain medical services appropriate to your disability. 

Your application will be transfer to a Case Management Agency that works with your County Human Services to exclusively process disability applications, they will assign you a case worker and they will make the final determination for the waiver. approval/denial

Submit all supporting documents and all disability medical records, surgeries, list of doctors and prescriptions

The SSI/SSDI letter (approved/denied)

Same as the Disability Waiver, the LTSS waiver is administered by a Case Management Agency

Your County Human Services will help you to apply for SNAP, you can also apply online (PEAK)  or by paper applications.

Eligibility is by income, resources and household size.

Once approved you will use an Electronic Benefit Transfer card (EBT) to use the funds allowed to your household.

The Old Age Pension program provides cash benefits to eligible individuals aged 60 years and older. 

You can apply through the Medicaid application online (PEAK) or by paper or at your County's Human Services

You can find information about other ADULT FINANCIAL PROGRAMS HERE

TANF provides temporary cash assistance, and other assistance options to families with children under age 18 who meet the requirements of the program.

Colorado Works Booklet (Spanish)

To learn more about the Colorado Works or TANF program visit The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Some of the programs are:

• HEALTH INSURANCE BUY IN PROGRAM (HIBI)
• Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Children With Disabilities (CBwD)
• Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (WAwD)

Each of this programs have different requirements, please visit Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing website: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/program-list

This is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs.      Accepts applications from                       November 1st to April 30th https://cdhs.colorado.gov/leap