Senior benefits in Chaffee County, Colorado
Seniors in Chaffee County, Colorado have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, housing, and more. The Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging is the local starting point for connecting with services and support in this area. Other county-specific resources include Hospital Financial Assistance through Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida, LEAP energy assistance intake through the Chaffee County Department of Human Services, and door-to-door transportation through Mountain Valley Transit. At the state level, programs like the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit Rebate, the Senior Property Tax Exemption, Colorado SHIP for free Medicare counseling, and the Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors may be available to qualifying residents. Federal programs also apply, covering areas like food, prescription costs, and veterans' benefits. This page lists each program with 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
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Colorado programs
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Federal programs
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Categories
Last verified · October 12, 2026
Local starting point
Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments)
1-719-539-3341
See which of these Chaffee County programs you may qualify for.
Discover my benefitsHelping others? Print the Chaffee 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 Chaffee County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Chaffee County. Start here.
Elder Services in Chaffee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$2,000 a year to an eligible household.
Area Agency on Aging services (Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments)) — Chaffee
County · ColoradoThe Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging serves adults 60 and over in Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and Lake counties, including Chaffee County. Older Americans Act services include caregiver respite, chore help, home safety equipment vouchers, short-term in-home help, congregate meals and Meals on Wheels, and long-term care ombudsman help. Priority goes to people with the greatest social and economic need. Call 719-539-3341 to get started.
Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Chaffee County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $200–$1,000 a year.
LEAP energy assistance intake (Chaffee County Department of Human Services) — Chaffee
County · ColoradoColorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps pay part of winter heating costs. Residents of Chaffee County can get a LEAP application or help applying from the Chaffee County Department of Human Services in Salida. The county page says you may apply November 1 through April 30, and applications are available at the county office. Call the county office at 719-530-2500 or the statewide LEAP line at 1-866-432-8435 (1-866-HEAT-HELP), or apply online through Colorado PEAK.
Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,000 a year
Healthcare in Chaffee County
Hospital Financial Assistance (Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (Salida)) — Chaffee
County · ColoradoUninsured and underinsured residents of Chaffee County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (Salida) for emergency and medically necessary care. Free or discounted care is based on household income and size. No patient is denied medically necessary care because of inability to pay. Call 719-530-2475 with questions.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Chaffee County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
Door-to-door transit (Mountain Valley Transit, Chaffee County) — Chaffee
County · ColoradoMountain Valley Transit (formerly the Chaffee Shuttle), a nonprofit rural transit agency, gives free door-to-door rides in Salida, Buena Vista, and nearby areas (Salida Monday–Friday, Buena Vista Tuesday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). All vehicles are ADA-compliant. Rides can be booked up to 14 days ahead at 719-530-8980.
Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Chaffee 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.
Upper Arkansas Area Agency on Aging (Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments)
Chaffee County Department of Human Services
Runs: LEAP energy assistance intake (Chaffee County Department of Human Services)
Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (Salida)
Runs: Hospital Financial Assistance (Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (Salida))
Mountain Valley Transit
Runs: Door-to-door transit (Mountain Valley Transit, Chaffee County)
Colorado and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Chaffee County and across the rest of Colorado. Full details are on the Colorado benefits page.
Money & income3 programs
Cash paid to you, and emergency help when money runs short.
Health & Medicare costs8 programs
Medicaid, Medicare savings, and help with drug and doctor bills.
- Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1)
- Health First Colorado (Medicaid) for people 65+, blind, or disabled
- Colorado Dental Health Care Program for Low-Income Seniors
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
- Qualifying Individual (QI)
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Food6 programs
SNAP (food stamps), meals, and farmers market coupons.
Home, bills & taxes10 programs
Help with heating and electric bills, rent, property taxes, and home repairs.
- LEAP — Low-income Energy Assistance Program
- Energy Outreach Colorado — Bill Payment Assistance for past-due heating and electric bills
- Property Tax Deferral Program (seniors and active military)
- Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit (PTC) Rebate
- Senior Property Tax Exemption (Homestead Exemption)
- Federal Lifeline
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
Care at home & long-term care3 programs
Help staying in your home, nursing home alternatives, and support for family caregivers.
Help, advice & legal4 programs
Free counseling, legal help, rides, and other senior services.
Veterans3 programs
Benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses.
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.