Setting Up An Account
- Can an undocumented individual apply on PEAK on behalf of their documented children?
Yes. Ineligible individuals may apply on behalf of eligible family members. A Social Security Number or legal permanent resident ID needs to be provided for the household members for whom benefits are requested. While a Social Security Number is requested at account creation for the person completing the application, it is not required. On the Individual Demographics page on the PEAK application, information is gathered for each person. For those not requesting benefits, the “None” button should be selected when asked for what program that individual wishes to apply.
- While setting up an account, why is there a field for a Social Security Number if it is not required to create an account?
Providing your Social Security Number helps to confirm your identity. If you do not have a Social Security Number, later in the application you will be asked to provide the appropriate documentation to validate your legal non-citizen status.
Applying For Benefits
- Can an undocumented individual apply on PEAK on behalf of their documented children?
Yes. Ineligible individuals may apply on behalf of eligible family members. A Social Security Number or legal permanent resident ID needs to be provided for the household members for whom benefits are requested. While a Social Security Number is requested at account creation for the person completing the application, it is not required. On the Individual Demographics page on the PEAK application, information is gathered for each person. For those not requesting benefits, the “None” button should be selected when asked for what program that individual wishes to apply.
- Can I update or change information on my online application before it is submitted?
Yes, you can make changes to your online application before it is submitted. After each section of information gathering there is a Summary Screen of the information you provided. You can edit the information you provided on the Summary Screen. You should not complete a new application since this will cause a delay in you receiving a decision. You can also change answers to parts of your application by using the back buttons in the application up until the last Summary Screen. If you would like to add more people to the application, you must do this from the Summary Screen using the “Add” button.
If you need to make changes to your submitted online application and you did not receive an immediate decision as to whether you qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), you can call the Medical Assistance Site at 1-800-359-1991. The Medical Assistance site can help you make changes to your submitted application over the phone. Do not complete a new application since this will cause a delay in you receiving a decision.
If you did receive an immediate decision as to whether you qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), you can log in to your PEAK account and make changes through the Report My Changes function. You must have a PEAK account to access Report My Changes. Do not complete a new application since this will cause a delay in you receiving a decision.
You will not be able to change identity information such as name spellings or Social Security Numbers through Report My Changes. To correct any incorrectly entered information you need to contact your local county Human Services office.
- How do I get help using the PEAK website?
If you need help with a technical issue on the Colorado.gov/PEAK website, such as password resets, error messages, or problems with navigation, call the PEAK Technical Support Call Center at 1-800-250-7741.
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Note: The PEAK Technical Support Call Center is closed on state holidays. - How does having an Authorized Representative help/protect you during this application period? Why would a person need an Authorized Representative?
An Authorized Representative is not necessary to complete an application through PEAK. However, there are some individuals who need extra help filling out their application. If someone is acting as your Authorized Representative, they have the right to speak for you and make decisions on your behalf. They also take the legal responsibility for the information that is presented in the application.
- If I already receive benefits and want to apply for Medical Assistance, is there a faster way to update my information?
If you or someone in your household are already receiving Food, Cash or Medical Assistance benefits, you can use PEAK Report My Changes to apply for Medical Assistance. Using the PEAK Report My Changes option will take you less time to complete the application. Since we are able to pull information about current clients from our system, current clients do not have to fill out the whole application. We simply ask current clients to indicate who would like to apply for Medical Assistance, ask them to confirm that information and then sign and submit the application. You must have a PEAK account to use Report My Changes. If you do not have a PEAK account, click here to set up a PEAK account.
- What is the Income Eligibility and Verification System (IEVS)?
The Income Eligibility and Verification System or IEVS is a system that compares the income that you report when you apply for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) with the income employers report to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for all of their employees. If there is a big difference between the income you report and the employer-reported income in IEVS, you may be asked to explain why the numbers are different, and/or to provide proof of your income.
- Why does the system time out after 15 minutes of inactivity? Will I lose my progress if it times out? If I don’t constantly save will I lose my progress or will it automatically save for me?
The automatic time-out feature is there to keep your personal information safe. Since we know many people access PEAK from public computers at libraries, schools and other place, we want to make sure your personal information is protected. If you do not log-out of the system, it will log out for you.
Every time you move from one screen to the next, the PEAK system automatically saves your work – but only if you created a PEAK account. Creating a PEAK account allows you to save your application and come back to it later. It also allows you to pick up where you left off if you lose your internet connection, or if the power goes out. Having a PEAK account allows you to log in again and return to the last page you were working on. Please note that the information on the last page you were working on is not saved if there is an unintentional shut-down due to a power outage, loss of internet connection, etc.
Checking Your Application Status
- How can I check the status of my Health First Colorado application?
If you applied for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), you can check your application status online through Colorado PEAK.
Even if you applied by mail, in-person, or over the phone, you can still create a Colorado PEAK account and find out the status of your application online. It may take up to 45 days — or up to 90 days if the application requires a disability determination — from the date your application was received for a case number to be assigned to you. Once you are assigned a case number, you can check your status and benefits online through Colorado PEAK. Get more information about your case number and where to find it.
Which Benefits Would Your Household Like To Apply For?
- Can I apply for more than one benefit?
Yes, there is no harm in applying for all programs, and we encourage you to apply for any benefit you think you may qualify for and need.
- How do I know which benefits I need and how can I tell which ones are more important to me than others?
By clicking on the Quick Links tab, then on Benefit Information on the PEAK homepage, you can read a short description of each program you may qualify for. If you are applying for Medical or Food Assistance, the system will figure out which program you qualify for and which best meets your needs. The difference between Colorado Works and Adult Financial is the fact that Colorado Works requires you to meet income requirements and have dependent children living with you. Adult Financial also has income limits, age, and disability requirements.
The Am I Eligible page can help you understand what Food Assistance and Cash Assistance you might qualify for. There is no harm in applying for all programs, and we encourage you to apply for any benefit you think you may qualify for and need.
- Is there a limit to how many benefits I can apply for?
No, there is no harm in applying for all programs, and we encourage you to apply for any benefit you think you may qualify for and need.
- Will applying for multiple benefits or programs help or hurt my chance of receiving benefits?
No, applying for multiple benefit programs has no impact on your chance of receiving benefits.
Getting Started
- If I am homeless, how will I be reached about my benefits? Will being homeless impact whether I get benefits or not?
The system asks people who are homeless to visit their local county office if they do not have a mailing address, or to use the Post Office General Delivery to hold their mail. By visiting your local county office, a county worker can speak to you about your benefits. Homelessness does not impact your ability to get benefits.
- There are a lot of options for the Preferred Spoken Language section. Why are English and Spanish the only options under the Preferred Written Language section?
We know that Colorado has a diverse population and use a language translation telephone line whenever possible to speak with applicants in their native language. Currently, only English and Spanish written documents are available.
- Why is a full legal first and last name required, but a middle name or initial is not?
We need your full legal name in order to verify your identify to see if you qualify for benefits. Not everyone has a middle name, so we do not make that mandatory.
- Why is my birth date not required?
A birth date is not required, but it is critical information that helps us identify who you are and process your information faster. We recommend all applicants fill in all of the information you have and know about each household member applying.
- Will gender play any role in receiving benefits?
No, we ask about your gender to have a better understanding of who is accessing the benefits. Gender does not impact your ability to qualify for benefits.
People In the Home
- Do I have to fill out or file a Federal Income Tax Return to get benefits?
No, you do not have to fill out or file a Federal Income Tax Return to get benefits.
- The applications asks if I would like to receive help with my medical bills that have been incurred over the past three months. Will I only get help paying medical bills for the past three months if I am eligible for benefits?
Yes, in order to get help paying your medical bills from the last three months, you must qualify for a Medical Assistance program at the time you apply and have been eligible for benefits during the months you are asking for help to pay your medical bills.
- What does it mean to be a tax dependent?
You are a tax dependent if someone else claims you as a dependent on their Federal Income Tax Return.
- What is a non-custodial parent?
A parent who does not have legal custody of a child.
- Why do I need to fill in if I have ever had another alias? Do nicknames count as an alias? What counts as an alias?
Aliases are any names you have legally had. We need to know if you have any aliases to help prove your identity. For example, this may be your maiden name.
- Why does it matter how many people are in my household? Do you only count family members? Are unrelated roommates counted?
Determining family household makeup is necessary to determine if you qualify for assistance programs. We do not count anyone who is unrelated to you, such as roommates.
- Why is marital status important to apply for benefits?
Determining family household makeup is necessary to determine if you qualify for Medical Assistance. Marital status by itself does not affect your eligibility.
Citizenship / More Information
- Do I have to have a Social Security Number to get benefits?
If you are a U.S. citizen you need to either have a Social Security Number or be applying for a Social Security Number. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have the appropriate documentation to validate your legal non-citizen status.
- What if I am not a U.S. citizen?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have the appropriate documentation to validate your legal non-citizen status. For a list of immigration statuses that qualify for marketplace coverage click here.
- What is a case number? Where do I find this information and how is it important to an application?
A case number always begins with “1B” and is issued if you have had or are currently receiving benefits in Colorado. This number can be found on every piece of mail you received about your benefits. It is important information if you know it, because it helps us to identify you in our system. If you’ve applied for benefits and don’t know your case number please contact the Health First Colorado Member Contact Center.
- Why is just the street number of my residence important?
If you are asked to answer these questions, it means that someone in our system has a similar name, date-of-birth or social security number as you. Answering these questions helps us confirm who you are.
Household Member Questions
- How does being pregnant impact my application and the benefits I may qualify for? What if I am expecting twins?
The number of unborn children a woman is pregnant with helps to determine how many are in the applicant’s household. The number in your household is a factor in determining what benefits you may qualify for.
- If I need long term care, will this impact my chances of receiving benefits?
No, this information is used to help us determine which Medical Assistance program is right for you.
- Will needing self-care or medical/nursing facility care affect my ability to get benefits? If I need nursing facility care, will it hurt my chances of receiving benefits?
No, this information is used to help us determine which Medical Assistance program is right for you.
Liquid Assets
- Are there more things considered liquid assets than those listed as suggestions (cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, trust funds, annuities, etc.)? How will I know if they are liquid assets?
Liquid assets are those that can be changed into cash quickly. If you have an asset and it does not fit into the individual categories listed on the application then that asset fits into the “other” category. For more information about assets click here.
- Will having more of one liquid asset over another affect whether I receive benefits or not?
No, the total amount of assets you have is used to see if you qualify for some programs. For more information about assets click here.
Checking / Savings Accounts
- If my bank is located out of state, will this impact the benefits I receive or my application?
No, the location of your bank will not impact your application.
- What is more important to include on my application, cash amount or bank savings amount?
Both are equally important. You must report both amounts on your application.
- Why are the last two digits of my bank account important?
It helps us to confirm the information you provided about your checking and/or savings accounts.
- Why is my bank information important?
We need your bank information so that we can confirm the information provided on the application.
Other Assets
- Are there assets other than the ones listed (vehicles, real estate, burial assets, life insurance) that I should include on my application?
We need information on all assets you may have. Those listed on the application are the most common. Please report all other assets under “other” category. For Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) your assets will not impact your ability to qualify for benefits. Get more information about assets.
Job Income
- Does receiving in-kind income affect the benefits I would receive?
If the income is large enough to push your total income above program requirements, it may impact your ability to receive benefits.
- I am applying for Medical Assistance. Do I need to provide copies of my paystubs or tax returns in order for the state to verify my income?
We need your Social Security Number when you apply. We use this information to verify your identity.
You do not have to provide proof of income if we can verify your identify. Proof of income can be documents such as your paystubs or employer letter. When you apply, we accept how much you say your current or prior month’s income is. After you are enrolled, we make sure the income you provided is correct. We check your income with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
You may need to give us more information if we are not able to verify your identify. We will send you a letter if we need more information from you to see if you qualify.
- What is the Income Eligibility and Verification System (IEVS)?
The Income Eligibility and Verification System or IEVS is a system that compares the income that you report when you apply for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) with the income employers report to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for all of their employees. If there is a big difference between the income you report and the employer-reported income in IEVS, you may be asked to explain why the numbers are different, and/or to provide proof of your income.
More About Applicant’s Job
- How does when my job ends factor into this application? Why is that relevant information?
The system uses this information to calculate and verify your income.
- What if my employer does not fit into the space provided?
Provide as much of the employer’s name as possible.
- Why is my pay period and knowing the last time I was paid important?
The system uses this information to calculate and verify your income.
Other Income
- What constitutes other income beside Social Security Income and child support?
There are about 30 different types of “other income.” If you have say you have other income on the application, the system will provide you a list to choose from including:
Adoption Assistance Programs Annuities
Cash Contributions Other
Child Support Payments
CO Refugee Services/VOLAG
Dividends
Gifts
Interest
Kinship Care Payments
Loan Repayment
Loans with Repayment Agreement
Other Government Retirement
Other Unearned All
Private Disability
Private Retirement Railroad Retirement
Social Security Dependent
Social Security Disability
Social Security Disabled Adult Child
Social Security Retirement
Social Security Survivor Adult
Social Security Survivor Child
Spousal Maintenance Payments
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Unemployment Insurance Benefit
Veterans 100% Disability
Veterans 306/Old Pensions
And others…
- Why is it important to know about grants, loans, and scholarships? What if I only have scholarships but not grants or loans or vice versa? How will this affect my application?
The system will ask you to identify if you have scholarships, loans and/or grants and will only count what is important to see if you qualify.
Other Bills
- I rent an apartment. Why did the application skip over the Housing Bills section and go straight to other bills? Since I rent an apartment, is my rent amount and utilities not important?
If you are applying only for Medical Assistance, then these questions do not impact your ability to qualify for benefits. The system skips over questions that do not apply to your personal situation.
- Why are only child support and medical costs asked about in the “other bills” section of the application?
Child support and medical costs may impact whether you qualify for certain benefits and/or if you may qualify for help to pay some of your previous medical bills. See “Will I only get help paying medical bills for the past three months if I am eligible for benefits?” for more information about past medical bills.
Health Insurance Policy Information
- Does it matter if my current carrier/health insurance company is not located in Colorado?
No, it does not matter if your insurance carrier/health insurance company is not located in Colorado.
- How do I find out how much I pay in health insurance premiums each month?
Contact your health insurance provider or employer to find out how much you pay in premiums for health insurance per month. You will need to include how much you pay in premiums each month on your application.
- What if I do not have all of my insurance company’s information? Will this impact my ability to receive benefits?
No, but you should fill in as much information as you know about your insurance.