Senior benefits in La Plata County, Colorado
Seniors living in La Plata County, Colorado have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, housing, and more. The San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging is a key local resource that can connect you to services and support in the area. La Plata County Senior Services offers transportation help for older adults, and La Plata County Department of Human Services handles local intake for LEAP, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. If you have medical bills, CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango offers a financial assistance program worth asking about. At the state level, programs like the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit Rebate, the Senior Property Tax Exemption, Colorado SHIP for free Medicare counseling, and Health First Colorado for eligible seniors may also apply to you. Dozens of federal programs are available here as well. Every program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
4
Local programs
12
Colorado programs
25
Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 3, 2026
Local starting point
San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging
1-970-264-0501
See which of these La Plata County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the La Plata 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 La Plata County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving La Plata County. Start here.
Elder Services in La Plata County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging) — La Plata
County · ColoradoSan Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging (Region 9) serves older adults and caregivers in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties, including La Plata County. It offers Older Americans Act help for adults 60 and over — options counseling, benefits enrollment help, service vouchers, Medicare counseling, and long-term care ombudsman help. Call 970-264-0501 to get connected.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in La Plata County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,000 a year.
LEAP energy assistance intake (La Plata County Department of Human Services) — La Plata
County · ColoradoColorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps pay part of winter heating costs. Residents of La Plata County can get a LEAP application or help applying from the La Plata County Department of Human Services in Durango. The county page says LEAP applications are only accepted November 1 through April 30. Call 970-382-6150, or apply online through Colorado PEAK.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in La Plata County
Hospital Financial Assistance (CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango)) — La Plata
County · ColoradoUninsured and underinsured residents of La Plata County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango) for emergency and medically necessary care. Free or discounted care is based on household income and size. Help may be decided before or at the time of admission. Call the financial counseling department at 970-764-2380.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in La Plata County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior transportation (La Plata County Senior Services) — La Plata
County · ColoradoLa Plata County Senior Services gives door-to-door rides to people 60 and over throughout La Plata County in wheelchair-accessible buses and minivans — to senior centers, doctor visits, the pharmacy, and other errands. Rides to the Durango~La Plata Senior Center and medical visits come first. Book at least 24 hours ahead at 970-759-6309.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving La Plata 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.
San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging)
La Plata County Department of Human Services
Runs: LEAP energy assistance intake (La Plata County Department of Human Services)
CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango))
La Plata County Senior Services
Runs: Senior transportation (La Plata County Senior Services)
Colorado and federal programs
Open to eligible households in La Plata 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.