Senior benefits in Rio Grande County, Colorado
4
Local programs
11
Colorado programs
25
Federal programs
16
Categories
Last verified · September 27, 2026
Local starting point
South-Central Colorado Seniors, Inc. (San Luis Valley Area Agency on Aging)
1-719-589-4511
See which of these Rio Grande County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Rio Grande 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 Grande County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Rio Grande County. Start here.
Elder Services in Rio Grande County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (South-Central Colorado Seniors, Inc. (San Luis Valley Area Agency on Aging)) — Rio Grande
CountySouth-Central Colorado Seniors, Inc. is the Area Agency on Aging for the San Luis Valley, including Rio Grande County. It helps adults 60 and over (and disabled adults 18 and over who live with an eligible adult) keep living on their own at home — meals, homemaker and respite help, Medicare counseling, and long-term care ombudsman help. Services have no set cost and are not income-based; an assessment is needed first. Call 719-589-4511 to get started.
$200–$2,000/yr
Energy Assistance in Rio Grande County
Programs here are typically worth $200–$1,000 a year to an eligible household.
LEAP energy assistance intake (Rio Grande County Department of Social Services) — Rio Grande
CountyColorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps pay part of winter heating costs. Residents of Rio Grande County can get a LEAP application or help applying from the Rio Grande County Department of Social Services, which serves both Rio Grande and Mineral counties from its Del Norte office. Call 719-657-3381, or apply online through Colorado PEAK.
$200–$1,000/yr
Healthcare in Rio Grande County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Rio Grande Hospital (Del Norte)) — Rio Grande
CountyUninsured and underinsured residents of Rio Grande County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Rio Grande Hospital (Del Norte) for emergency and medically necessary care. Free or discounted care is based on household income and size. The hospital offers a sliding fee scale, Hospital Discounted Care, and Medicaid application help. Its Public Benefits Advocates can help at 719-657-4063.
Transportation in Rio Grande County
Programs here are typically worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Transportation vouchers (South-Central Colorado Seniors, San Luis Valley Area Agency on Aging) — Rio Grande
CountyThe San Luis Valley Area Agency on Aging does not run its own buses, but it can issue consumer-directed transportation vouchers: an older adult who needs rides in a private vehicle (for example, from a family member or friend) can have the driver's mileage reimbursed at the agency's current rate. Call the Administration Office at 719-589-4511 to ask about eligibility.
$150–$1,500/yr
Local agencies serving Rio Grande 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.
Rio Grande County Department of Social Services
Runs: LEAP energy assistance intake (Rio Grande County Department of Social Services)
Rio Grande Hospital (Del Norte)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Rio Grande Hospital (Del Norte))
South-Central Colorado Seniors, Inc. (San Luis Valley Area Agency on Aging)
Runs: Area Agency on Aging services (South-Central Colorado Seniors, Inc. (San Luis Valley Area Agency on Aging)), Transportation vouchers (South-Central Colorado Seniors, San Luis Valley Area Agency on Aging)
Colorado and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Rio Grande 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.