Senior benefits in Otero County, Colorado
4
Local programs
11
Colorado programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
Lower Arkansas Valley Area Agency on Aging
1-719-383-3166
See which of these Otero County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Otero 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 Otero County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Otero County. Start here.
Elder Services in Otero County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Lower Arkansas Valley Area Agency on Aging) — Otero
CountyThe Lower Arkansas Valley Area Agency on Aging (LAVAAA) serves Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers counties, including Otero County. It connects older adults and the people who care for them to information and services on a range of help for daily living. Call 719-383-3166 (13 West 3rd Street, La Junta).
$200–$2,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Otero County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
LEAP energy assistance intake (Otero County Department of Human Services) — Otero
CountyColorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps pay part of winter heating costs. Residents of Otero County can get a LEAP application or help applying from the Otero County Department of Human Services. The county LEAP office is in Room 102 of the Otero County Courthouse, and state applications open November 1 each program year. Call 719-383-3168, or apply online through Colorado PEAK.
$200–$1,000/yr
Healthcare in Otero County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center) — Otero
CountyUninsured and underinsured residents of Otero County can apply for financial assistance at Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta for emergency and medically necessary care. 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 719-383-6441 for help applying.
Transportation in Otero County
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (SETran (Southeast Transit) Help Line / La Junta Transit) — Otero
CountySoutheast Transit (SETran) runs a free help line that matches Otero County riders with local rides — including La Junta Transit (719-384-5453), Bent County Transit, Bustang, Lower Arkansas Valley AAA volunteer medical trips, and Medicaid-only ride services. Call or text 719-931-3100.
$150–$1,500/yr
Local agencies serving Otero 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.
Lower Arkansas Valley Area Agency on Aging
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Lower Arkansas Valley Area Agency on Aging)
Otero County Department of Human Services
Runs: LEAP energy assistance intake (Otero County Department of Human Services)
Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center)
SETran (Southeast Transit) Help Line / La Junta Transit
Runs: Public & Dial-a-Ride Transit (SETran (Southeast Transit) Help Line / La Junta Transit)
Colorado and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Otero 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.