Senior benefits in Kit Carson County, Colorado
Seniors in Kit Carson County, Colorado, may qualify for more benefit programs than they realize. This page brings together local, state, and federal options in one place. Locally, the East Central Area Agency on Aging is a key starting point — it connects older adults to services and support across the region. Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital offers financial assistance for medical costs, and the Kit Carson County Department of Human Services handles LEAP energy assistance applications to help with heating bills. For getting around, Outback Express provides public and dial-a-ride transit options. At the state level, programs like the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit Rebate, Senior Property Tax Exemption, Old Age Pension cash assistance, and Colorado SHIP free Medicare counseling may be available to you. Federal programs — including Extra Help with Medicare drug costs and food assistance through SNAP — add even more options. Each listing below shows its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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Local programs
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Colorado programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 3, 2026
Local starting point
East Central Area Agency on Aging (East Central Council of Local Governments)
1-719-348-5562
See which of these Kit Carson County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Kit Carson 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 Kit Carson County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Kit Carson County. Start here.
Elder Services in Kit Carson County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (East Central Area Agency on Aging (East Central Council of Local Governments)) — Kit Carson
County · ColoradoThe East Central Area Agency on Aging, run by the East Central Council of Local Governments (ECCOG), serves older adults in Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties, including Kit Carson County. Local Senior Services Coordinators help with outreach, information and referral, long-term care ombudsman help, and links to meals, in-home help and transportation, so older adults can stay in their own homes. Call ECCOG at 719-348-5562.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Kit Carson County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,000 a year.
LEAP energy assistance intake (Kit Carson County Department of Human Services) — Kit Carson
County · ColoradoColorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps pay part of winter heating costs. Residents of Kit Carson County can get a LEAP application or help applying from the Kit Carson County Department of Human Services. The county Human Services page lists Low-Income Energy Assistance (LEAP) among its programs. Call 719-346-7158, or apply online through Colorado PEAK.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Kit Carson County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital) — Kit Carson
County · ColoradoUninsured and underinsured residents of Kit Carson County can apply for financial assistance at Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital in Burlington for emergency and medically necessary care. A financial counselor can explain the Financial Assistance Program and payment plans. Under Colorado's Hospital Discounted Care law, patients with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines can have their hospital bills limited and get an income-based payment plan. Call 719-346-4790 for help applying.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Kit Carson County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Outback Express (ECCOG)) — Kit Carson
County · ColoradoThe Outback Express, run by the East Central Council of Local Governments, is a public dial-a-ride system for Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties, including Kit Carson County. Anyone who needs a ride can use it. Wheelchair-accessible vans go to senior meal sites, shopping and errands, and medical appointments — including long trips to Denver or Colorado Springs. Call 719-348-5562; 24 hours' notice is appreciated.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Kit Carson 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.
East Central Area Agency on Aging (East Central Council of Local Governments)
Kit Carson County Department of Human Services
Runs: LEAP energy assistance intake (Kit Carson County Department of Human Services)
Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital)
Outback Express (ECCOG)
Runs: Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (Outback Express (ECCOG))
Colorado and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Kit Carson County and across the rest of Colorado. Full details are on the Colorado benefits page.
Cash Assistance
- Old Age Pension (OAP) cash assistanceState · Colorado$600–$12,384/yrCashOfficial source →
Elder Services
- Colorado SHIP — free Medicare counselingState · Colorado$100–$2,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Energy Outreach Colorado — Bill Payment Assistance for past-due heating and electric billsState · ColoradoOfficial source →
- LEAP — Low-income Energy Assistance ProgramState · Colorado$200–$1,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)State · Colorado$300–$3,500/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- Health First Colorado (Medicaid) for people 65+, blind, or disabledState · Colorado$2,000–$15,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income SeniorsState · Colorado$300–$2,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver — home and community-based servicesState · Colorado$5,000–$30,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1)State · Colorado$2,100–$5,200/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Property Tax Deferral Program (seniors and active military)State · Colorado$500–$3,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit (PTC) RebateState · Colorado$100–$1,178/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Senior Property Tax Exemption (Homestead Exemption)State · Colorado$300–$900/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby counties
Local 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.