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Adult Financial Services

Old Age Pension

The Old Age Pension (OAP) program provides financial assistance and may provide medical benefits for low-income adults age 60 or older. They must meet basic eligibility requirements to be eligible for this program.

What are the Benefits of the OAP Program?

Financial Benefits: The OAP program provides financial benefits up to $699.00 per month beginning January 2009. Any other income such as wages, Social Security benefits (SSA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veteran's Assistance, etc. may reduce the amount of the OAP payment. The OAP benefits are prorated the first month of application based on the date all eligibility requirements are met.

Medical Benefits: OAP recipients may qualify for medical benefits. Medicaid or the Old Age Pension Heath Care Program may be provided when financial benefits are approved. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing administers the medical programs.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify to receive OAP benefits you must meet all eligibility requirements. The complete rules and eligibility requirements may be found in 9 CCR-2503-1 - Staff Manual Volume 3 at Section 3.300. The following is a summary of the eligibility requirements and some, but not all, acceptable verifications.

1. Age: You must be 60 years or older to receive OAP benefits.

Verifications accepted:

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal Certificate
• Statement from Social Security
• Driver's License
• Picture Identification Card
• Military Discharge Papers
• Alien Registration Card
• Naturalization Papers

2. Residency: An OAP applicant/recipient must be a Colorado resident.

Verification accepted:

• Client Statement
• Rent Receipt
• Lease Agreement
• Mortgage Statement
• Voter Registration
• Utility Bill
• Phone Bill

3.Citizenship: An OAP applicant/recipient must meet the citizenship requirements. He/she must be a citizen of the United States, a naturalized citizen, or an eligible legal resident.

Verification accepted:

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal Certificate
• Naturalization Papers
• Passport
• Alien Registration Papers

4. Income: An OAP applicant/recipient may be eligible up to $699.00 per month beginning January 2009. Other income may offset the maximum OAP payment. Income is considered as anything that can be used to meet expenses such as for food, clothing, or shelter. Some types of income are Social Security benefits, SSI, Veteran's Assistance, retirement pension, disability benefits, wages, etc.

Verification accepted:

• Earned Income:
  1. Check Stubs
  2. Letter from Employer
  3. Tax Return
• Unearned Income:
  1. Copy of Check
  2. Statement from Social Security
  3. Award Letter

5. Resources: An OAP applicant/recipient may have countable resources up to a maximum of $2,000.00 for an individual or $3,000.00 for a married couple. Some types of resources are cash (not spent in the month you receive it), checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposits, vehicles, boats, motor homes, stocks and bonds, life insurance, burial contracts or policies, and secondary property.

Verification accepted:

• Bank Statement
• Letter from the Bank
• Vehicle Registration
• Letter from the Broker
• Life Insurance Policy
• Letter from Life Insurance Company
• Burial Contract or Policy
• Tax Return
• Letter from the Assessor's Office

Some resources may not count toward the maximum resource limit. Do not wait to apply if you do not have all verifications needed. You can gather needed information after your application has been received.

6. Application of Supplemental Security Income: Applicants/recipients of OAP may be required to apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits. A statement from the SSA office verifying the appointment was kept is required. Staff in the State OAP/SSI Coordination Program may be able to assist you in the application process for SSI/SSA benefits.

What is the OAP/SSI Coordination Program?

The Old Age Pension/Supplemental Security Income (OAP/SSI) program was created in January of 1997. This program was established to assist the OAP clients apply for SSI or SSA benefits.

The OAP/SSI coordinators work with the County Departments of Social (Human) Services, the Social Security offices (SSA), and the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office. The Coordinators are available to assist in gathering information needed by the SSA or DDS office. The Coordinators may help complete forms and retrieve personal and medical information required for a quick and accurate determination of SSI and/or SSA benefits can be made.

The OAP/SSI Coordinators may assist the OAP applicants/recipients with DDS hearings and appeals when necessary.

Who must apply for SSI/SSA?

The following OAP applicants/recipients must apply for SSI and/or SSA benefits.

1. OAP applicants/recipients who are 65 or older with income less than the current maximum SSI payment, which is $674.00 per month in 2009.
2. OAP applicants/recipients who are 60 through 64 who say that they are disabled.
3. OAP applicants/recipients who are 60 or older who do not have an employment history in the past 15 years.
4. OAP applicants/recipients who are 60 or older who are not able to return to their previous job.

Anyone applying for Old Age Pension benefits that meet one or more of the requirements above must apply for SSI/SSA prior to being approved for OAP benefits.

How to Apply

To apply for OAP benefits you will need to call or go to your County Department of Social (Human) Services . You will need to complete the application and complete any required forms. A county representative can help you complete the application and explain what information/verifications may be needed to process your application.

Other Assistance Programs

OAP recipients may qualify for other assistance programs such as:

• Food Assistance
• Supplemental Food Program
• LEAP - Low Income Energy Assistance Program - this program assists with heating costs in the winter
• Lifeline Telephone Assistance - this programs assists with a discount on your monthly phone bill