Important notice: SNAP emergency allotments ending
All Coloradans who receive SNAP benefits will see a reduction in their monthly benefit amount after February. The temporary additional benefit amounts (emergency allotments) that were approved by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic are ending due to the result of recent congressional action.
Learn more about what this means for you and find useful tips and resources
Callers can retrieve real-time information on their case and get answers to other SNAP questions, toll-free at 800-816-4451.
The purpose of the Financial and Support Services program is to provide resource referrals, financial assistance, and child support services to individuals and families so they can support themselves.
Colorado Works Program
This is a public assistance program enacted in Colorado in 1997 following federal welfare reform legislation. Colorado Works, administered by the Human Services Department, provides assistance to families in the form of temporary income payments, food stamps, grants, job training, and child care assistance to help clients find and retain jobs and gain financial independence.
Food Assistance Program
The mission of the Office of Self Sufficiency Food Assistance Program is to provide a basic level of nutritional well being for eligible low-income families and individuals. The Food Assistance Program provides food benefits in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services (USDA FNS), County Departments of Social Services, and authorized food retailers
Child Care Assistance
The Online Child Care Application
Family and Child Medicaid
- Medicaid is a program that pays for health insurance for some Coloradoans who can not afford it.
- When state and federal eligibility criteria are met, Medicaid covers families with children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
- People who are not US citizens can only get Medicaid to pay for a life-threatening medical emergency.
- You may pick up an application at the La Plata County Department of Human Services or have an application mailed to you.
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
- Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is a low-cost health insurance program for uninsured Colorado children ages 18 and under whose families earn or own too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
- CHP+ encourages preventive and early primary medical and dental care by removing financial barriers to health care.
LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance)
- Applications are only accepted between November 1 thru April 30
- LEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Colorado Department of Human Services and is designed to help with your winter heating costs
Child Protection
Everyone in the community plays a role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. If you have concerns about a child's safety and well-being, you can report your concerns to Human Services or law enforcement, any time of day or night. If it is an emergency or you are witnessing a child in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.
For situations that aren't emergencies:
La Plata County Human Services main number 970-382-6150
La Plata County Human Services child abuse and neglect reporting number 970-385-6438
Central Dispatch 970-387-5531
Toll-free Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 844-264-5437 (844-CO-4-KIDS)
Calls reporting child abuse and neglect will be recorded for monitoring and quality assurance purposes.