The Colorado Supplement (CS) program provides cash assistance to a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient who does not receive the full SSI benefit.
What are the Benefits of the Colorado Supplement Program?
The goal of the CS program is to provide financial assistance to meet the SSI benefit standard.
To qualify for CS, the applicant must be receiving SSI and their income must be under the current maximum monthly SSI benefit. If SSA is recovering any portion of the recipient's SSI benefit due to overpayment, that amount will not be supplemented.
Financial Benefits: The CS program provides financial benefits up to $637 per month beginning January 2009 for individuals who are receiving SSI because of a disability or up to $637 per month beginning January 2009 if the SSI is received due to blindness. Any other income such as wages, Social Security benefits (SSA), Veteran's Assistance, etc. may reduce the amount of the CS payment. The CS benefits are prorated the first month of application based on the date all eligibility requirements are met.
Medical Benefits: Individuals who are receiving SSI also receive Medicaid benefits. There are no additional medical benefits provided by the CS program.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify to receive CS benefits you must meet all eligibility criteria. The complete rules and eligibility requirements may be found in 9 CCR-2503-1 - Staff Manual Volume 3 at Section 3.400.3. The following is a summary of the eligibility requirements and some, but not all, acceptable verifications.
1. Age: You must be under 60 years old to qualify for the CS program.
Verifications accepted:
- Birth Certificate
- Baptismal Certificate
- Statement from Social Security
- Driver's License
- Picture Identification Card
- Military Discharge Papers
- Alien Registration Card
- Naturalization Papers
2. Residency: A CS applicant/recipient must be a Colorado resident.
Verification accepted:
- Client Statement
- Rent Receipt
- Lease Agreement
- Mortgage Statement
- Voter Registration
- Utility Bill
- Phone Bill
3. Citizenship: A CS applicant/recipient must meet the citizenship requirements. He/she must be a citizen of the United States, a naturalized citizen, or an eligible legal resident.
Verification accepted:
- Birth Certificate
- Baptismal Certificate
- Naturalization Papers
- Passport
- Alien Registration Papers
4. Income: A CS applicant/recipient may be eligible to receive up to $637 per month beginning January 2009 for individuals who are receiving SSI because of a disability or up to $637 per month beginning January 2009 if the SSI is received due to blindness. Other income may offset the maximum CS payment. Income is considered as anything that can be used to meet expenses such as for food, clothing, or shelter. Some types of income are Social Security benefits, SSI, Veteran's Assistance, retirement pension, disability benefits, wages, etc.
Verification accepted:
-
Earned Income:
- Check Stubs
- Letter from Employer
- Tax Return
-
Unearned Income:
- Copy of Check
- Statement from Social Security
- Award Letter
5. Resources: An CS applicant/recipient may have countable resources up to a maximum of $2,000.00 for an individual or $3,000.00 for a married couple. Some types of resources are cash (not spent in the month you receive it), checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposits, vehicles, boats, motor homes, stocks and bonds, life insurance, burial contracts or policies, and secondary property, etc.
Verification accepted:
- Bank Statement or Letter from the Bank
- Vehicle Registration
- Letter from the Broker
- Life Insurance Policy or Letter from Life Insurance Company
- Burial Contract or Policy
- Tax Return
- Letter from the Assessor's Office
Some resources may not count toward the maximum resource limit. Do not wait to apply if you do not have all verifications needed. You can gather needed information after your application has been received.
How to Apply
To apply for CS, you must complete an application. If you need assistance filling out the application, you can go to your local County Department of Social (Human) Services to have someone assist you. You can:
- Print an application and mail to your local County Department of Social (Human) Services; or
- Call your local County Department of Human/Social Services to have the application mailed to you; or
- Go into your local County Department of Human/Social Services to complete the application.
