Senior benefits in Chaffee County, Colorado
4
Local programs
11
Colorado programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments)
1-719-539-3341
See which of these Chaffee County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Chaffee County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Chaffee County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Chaffee County. Start here.
Elder Services in Chaffee County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments)) — Chaffee
CountyThe Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging serves adults 60 and over in Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and Lake counties, including Chaffee County. Older Americans Act services include caregiver respite, chore help, home safety equipment vouchers, short-term in-home help, congregate meals and Meals on Wheels, and long-term care ombudsman help. Priority goes to people with the greatest social and economic need. Call 719-539-3341 to get started.
$200–$2,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Chaffee County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
LEAP energy assistance intake (Chaffee County Department of Human Services) — Chaffee
CountyColorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps pay part of winter heating costs. Residents of Chaffee County can get a LEAP application or help applying from the Chaffee County Department of Human Services in Salida. The county page says you may apply November 1 through April 30, and applications are available at the county office. Call 719-530-2500, or apply online through Colorado PEAK.
$200–$1,000/yr
Healthcare in Chaffee County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (Salida)) — Chaffee
CountyUninsured and underinsured residents of Chaffee County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (Salida) for emergency and medically necessary care. Free or discounted care is based on household income and size. No patient is denied medically necessary care because of inability to pay. Call 719-530-2475 with questions.
Transportation in Chaffee County
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Door-to-door transit (Mountain Valley Transit, Chaffee County) — Chaffee
CountyMountain Valley Transit (formerly the Chaffee Shuttle), a nonprofit rural transit agency, gives free door-to-door rides in Salida, Buena Vista, and nearby areas (Salida Monday–Friday, Buena Vista Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). All vehicles are ADA-compliant. Rides can be booked up to 14 days ahead at 719-530-8980.
$150–$1,500/yr
Local agencies serving Chaffee County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments)
Chaffee County Department of Human Services
Runs: LEAP energy assistance intake (Chaffee County Department of Human Services)
Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (Salida)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (Salida))
Mountain Valley Transit
Runs: Door-to-door transit (Mountain Valley Transit, Chaffee County)
Colorado and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Chaffee County and across the rest of Colorado. Full details are on the Colorado benefits page.
Cash Assistance
- Old Age Pension (OAP) cash assistanceState$600–$12,384/yrOfficial source →
Elder Services
- Colorado SHIP — free Medicare counselingState$100–$2,000/yrOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- LEAP — Low-income Energy Assistance ProgramState$200–$1,000/yrOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)State$300–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Health First Colorado (Medicaid) for people 65+, blind, or disabledState$2,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income SeniorsState$300–$2,000/yrOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrOfficial source →
- Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver — home and community-based servicesState$5,000–$30,000/yrOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federal$2,400–$2,435/yrOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1)State$2,100–$5,200/yrOfficial source →
Supportive Services
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federalup to $1,125/yrOfficial source →
- Property Tax Deferral Program (seniors and active military)State$500–$3,000/yrOfficial source →
- Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit (PTC) RebateState$100–$1,178/yrOfficial source →
- Senior Property Tax Exemption (Homestead Exemption)State$300–$900/yrOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrOfficial source →
Nearby counties
County programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.