At Eagle County Economic Services, we understand that life can pose many challenges. Often times, getting help can seem as difficult as putting together a 10,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. We are here to help. With so many ways to receive assistance, which ones are right for you? We’ll help you put the puzzle pieces together to figure out what program will best meet your needs. Program information is provided below, or please read our Helping Our Community Get Connected brochure in English or Spanish. 

Please see the State of Colorado's Program Eligibility and Application Kit to determine if you are eligible for benefits or check the status of current benefits. 

Food Assistance

Food Stamps
Available for low-income families and individuals as a monthly benefit to help with food expenses. Able-bodied adults are required to work or look for work. Only U.S. citizens and legal resident aliens are eligible for the Food Stamp Program. Applications are available in English and Spanish.

Commodities
Available for low-income families and individuals as a monthly supply of federal surplus foods. Commodities may be picked up Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except holidays) at any of our three offices in Avon, Eagle or El Jebel. Food supplies vary from month to month, but typically include:

Canned fruits and vegetables
Rice or pasta
Beans
Powdered milk
Canned soup or meat

Apply online at https://www.colorado.gov/PEAK/ 

Medical Assistance

Medicaid For families and individuals. Medicaid is available to pregnant women, children under the age of 18 (and in some situations the child's parents), adults over the age of 60, and those permanently and totally disabled. Only U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens are eligible for regular Medicaid. Pregnant, undocumented women are eligible for delivery costs only.

Applications for pregnant women and children are available in English and Spanish.

Applications for adults over the age of 60 or those permanently and totally disabled are available in English and Spanish.

Apply online at https://www.colorado.gov/PEAK/ 

Financial Assistance

Apply online at https://www.colorado.gov/PEAK/ 

Child Care Assistance
Low-income working families can qualify for help with child care expenses for children under the age of 13 while parents are at work. Economic Services works with all licensed child care providers and can also approve care of children by an unlicensed individual. Assistance payments as well as the parents' share of payments are made directly to providers. Only children who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens are eligible for child care assistance. Applications are available in English and Spanish.  

Apply online at https://chats.state.co.us/ClientSelfService/CCAT 
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) 
This program is for families and individuals with limited incomes who need help in paying their heating bills. The program is open from Nov. 1 through April 30 and can provide up to $700 to help eligible families with heating costs. Applications are available in English and Spanish.

The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) operates year-round and provides assistance with furnace repair/replacement or replacement of broken windows. You must be eligible for LEAP to qualify for CIP. Applications are available at county LEAP offices.

Colorado WORKS For families with children under the age of 18. Provides a monthly cash benefit or a one-time diversion benefit. Parents must participate in a plan to become employable. Families requesting diversion payments must be able to establish that they are capable of self-support in subsequent months. Only children who are U.S. citizens and legal resident aliens are eligible for Colorado WORKS. Applications are available in English and Spanish.

Aid to the Needy Disabled
For adults age 18 or over who have a disability which lasts six months or longer that keeps them from working and who do not receive SSI. Monthly cash benefits are provided until such time as a person is eligible for disability under the Social Security Administration. Only persons who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens are eligible.  Applications are available in English and Spanish.  For more information click here.

Old Age Pension
For adults over the age of 60. Monthly cash benefits are provided to adults whose income is below the State's standard of $699 per month. Only those who are U.S. citizens or legal resident aliens are eligible. Applications are available in English and Spanish.  For more information information click here.

Aid to the Blind
For adults who are legally blind and who do not receive SSI. Monthly cash benefits are provided until such time as a person is eligible for disability under the Social Security Administration. Only those who are U.S. citizens and legal resident aliens are eligible. Applications are available in English and Spanish.  For more information click here.

View the current poverty levels chart for eligibility guidelines.

Child Support Services

Eagle County's Child Support Services program helps families: 

• Establish paternity.
• Locate absent parents using a variety of state and federal databases.
• Establish child support. 
• Amounts are established based on the income of both parents according to State of Colorado Child Support Guidelines.
• Most child support is established directly with absent parents. 
• Court involvement to establish child support is pursued when there are special issues in question.
• Collect child support

Fees and Eligibility for Service
Any parent may apply for services on behalf of their children. The standard one-time fee for child support enforcement services is $20. A parent may request that fee be waived when it presents a financial hardship.

How is support collected?
Once an order for child support is established, most child support is collected directly from the parent's employer and sent to the Colorado Family Support Registry. This Registry sends the child support to the custodial parent within 72 hours of receipt. Payments can be sent to the custodial parent through a Direct Deposit to their bank account, by deposit to an FSR Card that acts as a debit card to access the child support payment or by mailing a check to the custodial parent. A computer file keeps track of all child support paid through the Registry. Parents who are self-employed may choose to pay their child support through a Recurring Automatic Withdrawal from their bank account.

What happens if a parent fails to pay their child support?
When a parent falls behind in child support they may lose their driver's license, sporting licenses, or professional and trade licenses. They may also face contempt of court proceedings including jail time.

What if circumstances change and the child needs more support or the non-custodial parent cannot afford to pay the court ordered child support amount?
Either party may request a review of the current child support amount by submitting a Review and Adjustment Request Form.

How do I apply for Child Support enforcement services? You may request an application by calling 970-328-8840. You can also download the application or visit the Colorado Child Support Enforcement Services Web site.

Veterans Services

The Local Veterans Service Officer for Eagle County is Pat Hammon. Veterans can connect directly with Pat Hammon by using the contact information below:

Pat Hammon
970-390-4686
pat.hammon@eaglecounty.us

Office Hours are the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Eagle County Health and Human Services, 551 Broadway, Eagle CO.