There are many options available to you to apply for Food Assistance benefits. Try to provide as much information as you can on the application to make the process faster.

• By Phone: Outreach partners can help you apply by phone
  • Call Hunger Free Colorado Hotline at 1-855-855-4626
  • Call Mile High United Way at 2-1-1
• Online
  • Visit the Colorado PEAK website from a computer or tablet to complete an application online.
• Mobile App
  • Download the MyCOBenefits app to apply from a smartphone
  • If you are approved, you will be able to see benefit amounts.
• Paper
  • Paper applications are still available at your county office, even if it is closed.
  • Once you complete your paper application, you can drop it off at the county office or send it in by mail, fax, or email.

• If you are interested in applying for other assistance programs, you can select the programs that you are interested in when you complete the application.
  • If you apply by phone for Food Assistance:
    • You will need a separate paper, PEAK, or MyCOBenefits mobile app to apply for other assistance programs.

• Students can apply and may be eligible for Food Assistance.
  • If you are a student and have recently lost work or work-study, you could be eligible for Food Assistance.

• After you submit an application, the county will review your information.
  • You will receive a letter in the mail with an interview time. Please be prepared to discuss your case for approximately 20 minutes.
  • To check the status of your application, you can log into your PEAK account or on the MyCOBenefits mobile app.

• You will need to call us at 719-253-7850 to reschedule your interview. This will not be automatically done. Your case cannot be processed until your interview is completed.

• The county will reach out to you to reschedule if an interview is still needed.

• If you lost your job or have been laid off, you should apply for Food Assistance immediately.
• Please provide as much information as you can about your layoff.
• Your application and information will be reviewed by the county to determine if you are eligible to receive benefits within 7 days.

• Counties are trying to make the application process easier by allowing more flexibility in what you need to provide.
• The county will try to get all of the information they need for you but you may still need to provide some verifications.

• County offices are working quickly to update your case with any information that you have provided them.
• Due dates for the information the county office requested have not changed.

• County offices are working as quickly as they can to process applications.
• Normal processing can take from 7 days to 30 days but counties are trying to shorten all processing times.

• Go to the PEAK website.
• Click on "Sign In" Note: If you have a temporary password, use the "Sign In" option in the upper right-hand corner of the PEAK home page.
• Click on "Manage My Account"
• Click on "Benefits" on the left-hand side of the screen to see the active status for each member in your household under "Benefit Summary."
• Download the MyCOBenefits app onto your phone

• Your benefits are loading onto Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards which work a lot like a debit card in stores where you can buy food.
• Your EBT card can be mailed to you once you are approved.
• An EBT card getting mailed to you can take 7-10 days to reach you.
• If you do not have a home address, your EBT card can be mailed to an address that you choose such as a shelter or a place where you can pick up mail.

You will receive a brochure with your EBT card that will explain more information about using your EBT card.

If you had an EBT card before but need another one, you can call 1-888-328-2656.

• If you have called 1-888-328-2656 and they have told you that your address is not correct, your address will need to be updated.
• Normally, this would be done through your county office but because of COVID-19 and the increased calls to county offices, please call 1-800-536-5298.
• This is a secured line, so if you leave a voicemail, please leave your name, SSN, CBMS Case # and updated address to help your information getting updated faster.
• An EBT card getting mailed to you can take 7-10 days to reach you.

• If you do not already receive the maximum benefit for your eligible household members, you may receive extra Food Assistance benefits.
• If you are already receiving Food Assistance, you will continue to receive benefits and may be automatically re-enrolled in the program without extra work.
• If you were automatically re-enrolled, you will receive a letter from us telling you about the next steps.
• You can track your benefit amount on the MYCOBenefits app or on your PEAK account.

• A lot of county offices are closed to the public due to the public health crisis.
• County offices that are closed to the public are open remotely and will still process applications and changes.
• Please submit all changes to https://cdhs.colorado.gov/benefits-assistance/food-assistance/colorado-food-assistance-and-covid-19.
• There may be longer wait and hold times over the phone due to the number of calls the counties are receiving.
• County websites may provide email addresses to get in touch with someone in your county office to answer your questions or report changes.
• You may be able to answer a lot of your questions and report changes by logging into your PEAK account or the MyCOBenefits mobile app.
• You can also submit changes in writing at the dropbox for your county office.

Stay informed about COVID-19 at https://covid19.colorado.gov/.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know

• Apply for or find out information about the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) by calling the HEAT HELP Line (available 24/7) at 866-431-8435
• Applications can take 30 days to process but can be quicker for emergencies like a shutoff notice.

• If you need food immediately, please visit a food bank or food pantry.
• You can find food banks and pantries during the COVID-19 Outbreak visit at https://hungerfreecolorado.org/find-food/
• If you have children under 18, some public schools are offering "grab and go" break snacks and lunches that you can pick up at any school that is near you
  • See the list for locations.