It is estimated that there are around 400,000 veterans living in the state of Colorado. Many veterans find the cost of living in Colorado to be a challenge at times. Whether it’s because they can’t find jobs that pay high enough wages to make up for the higher cost of living or because they are in between jobs, sometimes it’s difficult to pay the bills. The good news is that there are grants for veterans in Colorado that can help those who are having a difficult financial time.
Grants are especially helpful for overcoming difficult times, because they are not loans, so they do not ever have to be paid back. Grant programs are put in place by the federal government to help people in need around the country. These programs offer grants for veterans in Colorado and beyond. Applying for the grants is typically easy, and the assistance you receive can be helpful during rough times. It’s a good idea to apply for all of the grants that you qualify for, so that you can get a lot of assistance to help you get on your feet.
Types of Grants for Veterans in Colorado
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Formerly called food stamps, SNAP is the food assistance program that is funded by the government. The program helps to ensure that people in the country do not go without having their basic nutritional needs met. Those who are approved for the program will receive a monthly grant that can be used to purchase food. The grant comes to you on an electronic debit-style card that you can use to pay for groceries at grocery stores and at the farmer’s market. To qualify for SNAP you have to meet the low income requirements, provide your identification, be a citizen or legal immigrant, and provide a social security number. Those who are not exempt will also need to register for work in order to receive SNAP grants. To apply for SNAP in Colorado, click here.
Colorado Works – The Colorado Works program is essentially the federally funded program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The program provides those who qualify with a monthly cash grant to help them cover the cost of living expenses. To qualify for the Colorado Works program you have to meet the low income requirements and be a citizen or legal immigrant. You can apply by printing the application and mail it to your local county office. To apply for Colorado Works, click here.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – There are grants for veterans in Colorado who need help paying for their heating bills. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that will give monthly utility grants to those who qualify. The program helps pay heating bills from November through April of each year. They will help with necessary equipment repairs and replacement, too. Eligibility requirements include having a low income, showing your identification, being a citizen or legal immigrant, and being responsible for paying the heating bill. You can apply for LIHEAP online or by mailing in the application. It takes 10-25 days to get a response from them. To apply for LIHEAP in Colorado, click here.
Lifeline Assistance – Veterans who need help paying for their phone bill may qualify for a grant through the federally funded program called Lifeline Assistance. The program helps those who have a low income. If you are approved you will only have to pay $9.25 per month for your phone, and the government will provide a grant to cover the rest of the bill. To find your local place to apply for Lifeline Assistance, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – The HUD program is federally funded and aims to help people obtain affordable housing. The programs offered through HUD will locate housing, pay rent, help you avoid foreclosure, and help pay for necessary home repairs. They also offer public housing options for those who qualify. The eligibility requirements include having a low income and being a citizen or legal immigrant. To apply for HUD in Colorado, click here.
There are numerous grants for veterans in Colorado. These programs will help provide the assistance that may be needed to get people through difficult financial times. You can apply for one or all of these programs to see if you qualify and can get the assistance you need.