Senior benefits in San Juan County, Colorado
Not in Colorado? San Juan County, Washington
Seniors aged 65 and older in San Juan County, Colorado have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs. The San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging is a key local starting point, connecting older adults to services and support across the region. Locally, Southwest Rides provides Medicaid transportation, the San Juan County Department of Social Services handles LEAP energy assistance intake, and CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango offers financial assistance for qualifying patients. Colorado state programs available here include Health First Colorado, Medicare Savings Programs, the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit Rebate, the Senior Property Tax Exemption, Old Age Pension cash assistance, SNAP, and free Medicare counseling through Colorado SHIP, among others. A broad set of federal programs also applies, covering areas like food, prescription costs, and veterans' health care. Each program listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. The sponsoring agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
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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 San Juan County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the San Juan 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 San Juan County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving San Juan County. Start here.
Elder Services in San Juan 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) — San Juan
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 San Juan 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 San Juan County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,000 a year.
LEAP energy assistance intake (San Juan County Department of Social Services) — San Juan
County · ColoradoColorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps pay part of winter heating costs. Residents of San Juan County can get a LEAP application or help applying from the San Juan County Department of Social Services in Silverton. The county page says LEAP is run by Discover Goodwill, the season is November 1 through April 30, and you can also apply by phone at 866-432-8435. Call 970-387-5631, or apply online through Colorado PEAK.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in San Juan County
Hospital Financial Assistance (CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango)) — San Juan
County · ColoradoSan Juan County has no hospital; the nearest one residents use is CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango), where uninsured and underinsured patients can apply for financial assistance (charity care) 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 San Juan County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Medicaid rides (Southwest Rides) — San Juan County — San Juan
County · ColoradoSouthwest Rides offers door-to-door transportation for San Juan County residents who have Medicaid (Health First Colorado). Call 970-946-0232 to schedule a ride.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving San Juan 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)
San Juan County Department of Social Services
Runs: LEAP energy assistance intake (San Juan County Department of Social Services)
CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital (Durango))
Colorado and federal programs
Open to eligible households in San Juan 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.