Senior benefits in La Plata County, Colorado
4
Local programs
11
Colorado programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 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 are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging) — La Plata
CountySan 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.
$200–$2,000/yr
Energy Assistance in La Plata County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
LEAP energy assistance intake (La Plata County Department of Human Services) — La Plata
CountyColorado'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.
$200–$1,000/yr
Healthcare in La Plata County
Hospital Financial Assistance (CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango)) — La Plata
CountyUninsured 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.
Transportation in La Plata County
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior transportation (La Plata County Senior Services) — La Plata
CountyLa 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.
$150–$1,500/yr
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$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.