Senior benefits in Rio Blanco County, Colorado
Seniors in Rio Blanco 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 Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado connects residents to services that support independent living. Pioneers Medical Center offers a Hospital Financial Assistance program for those who need help with medical bills. The Rio Blanco County Department of Human Services handles LEAP energy assistance intake, which can help with heating costs. For getting around, the Meeker Streaker and Rangely Rambler provide senior and public transit options across the county. State programs listed here include Health First Colorado, Medicare Savings Programs, the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit Rebate, and the Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors, among others. Federal programs also apply, covering areas like food, prescription costs, and veterans' health. Each listing below shows its official source and the date it was last verified. The administering 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
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado (Mesa County Department of Human Services, for Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado)
1-970-625-5282 ext. 3263
See which of these Rio Blanco County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Rio Blanco 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 Rio Blanco County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Rio Blanco County. Start here.
Elder Services in Rio Blanco County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado) — Rio Blanco
County · ColoradoThe Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado serves adults 60 and over and family caregivers in Rio Blanco County. It connects people to Meals on Wheels and senior dining, options counseling, vouchers for chore, homemaker, dental, glasses, hearing aid, and respite help, legal services, Medicare counseling, and long-term care ombudsman help. Garfield County Older Adult Programs covers Rio Blanco County for ADRC help — call 970-625-5282 ext. 3263 or 970-379-1451.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Rio Blanco County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,000 a year.
LEAP energy assistance intake (Rio Blanco County Department of Human Services) — Rio Blanco
County · ColoradoRio Blanco County Human Services helps residents with LEAP heating assistance, with offices in Meeker and Rangely. Call 970-878-9640, or apply online through Colorado PEAK. See the statewide LEAP record for income limits.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Rio Blanco County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Pioneers Medical Center) — Rio Blanco
County · ColoradoRio Blanco County residents who have trouble paying a hospital bill can ask Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker about its Financial Assistance Program and Colorado Hospital Discounted Care. A financial counselor can help you apply. Call 970-878-5047.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Rio Blanco County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Senior & Public Transit (Meeker Streaker and Rangely Rambler) — Rio Blanco
County · ColoradoRio Blanco County lists two senior transportation services: the Meeker Streaker in Meeker (970-456-7701) and the Rangely Rambler in Rangely (970-629-1545; changing to 970-878-9673 in October 2026). Call ahead to reserve a ride.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Rio Blanco 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.
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado (Mesa County Department of Human Services, for Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado)
Rio Blanco County Department of Human Services
Runs: LEAP energy assistance intake (Rio Blanco County Department of Human Services)
Pioneers Medical Center
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Pioneers Medical Center)
Meeker Streaker and Rangely Rambler
Runs: Senior & Public Transit (Meeker Streaker and Rangely Rambler)
Colorado and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Rio Blanco 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.