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Social Security disability

Disability benefits in Colorado

Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Colorado: who decides your claim, state money added to SSI, Medicaid, hearings and free help.

You have 60 days to appeal each decision, plus 5 days for mail.

How to appeal a denialAppeal deadline calculator

Who decides your claim in Colorado?

Colorado Disability Determination Services (DDS)

This state office makes the medical disability decision for Social Security (SSDI and SSI). It does not take applications, check other rules, or figure out your payment. Social Security does those things and tells you the final result.

Part of
Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services
Phone
1-800-332-8087 (DDS front desk)
Fax for records
303-752-5685 (claimant forms; or use the mailing instructions in the packet DDS sent you)
Mail
Colorado Disability Determination Services, 3190 S. Vaughn Way, Aurora, CO 80014-9833

DDS may set up a medical exam for you, at no cost to you, if it needs information that is not in your records.

Find a Social Security office

Does Colorado add money to SSI?

Aid to the Needy Disabled - Colorado Supplement (AND-CS)

AND-CS is for people up to age 59 who get SSI because of a disability or blindness and get less than the full SSI amount. It tops up your income to the state's grant standard of $994 a month (2026). You must live in Colorado and be getting SSI.

Paid by: the state

WhoTotal per month with SSIEffective
Person age 0 to 59 who gets SSI because of a disability or blindness but not the full SSI amount (AND-CS brings the total up to the grant standard)$994January 1, 2026

The total uses the federal SSI amount for that living arrangement. For people living on their own, the federal SSI part is $994 a month for one person or $1,491 for a couple in 2026. In another person's household or in a medical facility it is less.

How to apply
Apply online on Colorado PEAK, or send a paper application by mail, fax or in person to your county human services office. Once you are approved, you get the cash on an EBT card or by direct deposit.
Contact
Colorado Department of Human Services, Adult Financial Programs (through your county human services office)
https://cdhs.colorado.gov/adult-financial-programs

Medicaid in Colorado

Colorado's Medicaid program is called Health First Colorado. If you get SSI, you get Health First Colorado. You do not need a separate Medicaid application.

Program
Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program)
Medicaid agency
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), Health First Colorado
https://www.healthfirstcolorado.gov/apply-now/
1-800-221-3943 (State Relay 711)

Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities

This program lets adults with a disability who work and earn too much for regular Health First Colorado buy into it. You must be 16 or older, have a job, and have a qualifying disability from Social Security or the state's disability vendor (even if you are 65 or older). Your income after disregards must be under 450% of the federal poverty level. You pay a monthly premium based on income. Since April 1, 2026, premiums are $0 to $200 a month for one person (for example, $25 for income of $533 to $1,769 a month). Apply on Colorado PEAK, in person, by mail, or by phone at 1-800-221-3943. Buy-In line: 1-800-711-6994.

https://hcpf.colorado.gov/buy-in-program-working-adults-disabilities

State disability and paid leave in Colorado

FAMLI (Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance) - medical leave

Run by
Colorado Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)
Who it covers
Most Colorado workers who have earned at least $2,500 in wages subject to FAMLI premiums in the last 5 completed calendar quarters. Medical leave is for your own serious health condition, like an illness, a non-work injury, surgery, an impairment, or pregnancy and recovery from childbirth. Self-employed people and some local government workers can opt in.
Benefit
FAMLI pays 90% of the part of your average weekly wage up to $804.46, and 50% of the rest, so lower-wage workers get a higher share of their pay. The most you can get is $1,448.02 a week (since July 1, 2026). Up to 12 weeks a year, plus up to 4 more weeks for pregnancy or childbirth complications. There is no waiting period.
How to file
Apply in My FAMLI+ online or call the FAMLI Contact Center. A U.S.-licensed health care provider must complete the Serious Health Condition Form.
Filing deadline
Open your claim within 30 days after your first day of absence. You can file up to 30 days before a planned leave. Claims filed 31 to 90 days late may be considered if you show good cause.
Starts
January 1, 2024
Phone
1-866-263-2654 (FAMLI Contact Center)

FAMLI - family leave

Run by
Colorado Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)
Who it covers
Workers who need time to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, handle a military family member's deployment, or take safe leave after domestic violence. It is not for your own illness. For your own illness, see medical leave.
Benefit
Same weekly benefit as medical leave (up to $1,448.02 a week since July 1, 2026). Up to 12 weeks a year in total.
How to file
Apply in My FAMLI+ online or call the FAMLI Contact Center.
Filing deadline
Open your claim within 30 days after your first day of absence.
Starts
January 1, 2024
Phone
1-866-263-2654 (FAMLI Contact Center)

Hearing offices and federal court in Colorado

2 hearing offices serve Colorado. Hearing office locator (Social Security)

Colorado Springs, CO Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Plaza of the Rockies, North Tower, 111 S. Tejon Street, Suite 401, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Fax
(833) 779-0458

Denver, CO Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
1961 Stout St, Byron Rogers Federal Building, Suite 4-135, Denver, CO 80294-5000
Fax
(833) 586-0160

Federal district court

If you appeal to federal court, you file in the district court that covers your county.

U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Counties covered (1)
  • All Colorado counties (Colorado is one judicial district)

Free help in Colorado

Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)

Disability Justice (Colorado's Protection and Advocacy agency)

Phone
303-722-0300 (toll-free 800-531-2105)

Legal aid

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

ABLE savings account

Colorado ABLE

More free help across the country →

Good to know in Colorado

  • Colorado's state supplement (AND-CS) tops up SSI for people up to age 59 with a disability or blindness who get less than the full SSI amount, to a total of $994 a month in 2026. The county decides and the state pays. (CDHS)
  • While you wait for SSI, the state AND-SO program may pay up to $248 a month to adults 18 to 59 with a disability that keeps them from working. Colorado gets this money back from Social Security if SSI is approved for the same months. (CDHS)
  • Since January 28, 2026, Colorado DVR has a waitlist for new clients, with all priority categories closed. (Colorado DVR)

Recent changes

January 1, 2024: FAMLI benefits began (C.R.S. 8-13.3-504). January 1, 2026: AND-CS grant standard $994 (CDHS). January 28, 2026: DVR waitlist began (all categories closed). April 1, 2026: new Buy-In premium chart based on 2026 FPL (HCPF). July 1, 2026: FAMLI maximum weekly benefit $1,448.02 (FAMLI Rules & Guidance page). January 1, 2027: FAMLI premium rate goes down from 0.88% to 0.86% of wages (FAMLI Rules & Guidance page).

More RobinClaim guides for Colorado → · All states

Sources

Last checked: November 2026