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FAQs: Applying Online With PEAK

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?

Getting Started

People In the Home

Citizenship / More Information

Household Member Questions

Liquid Assets

Checking / Savings Accounts

Other 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

Other Income

Other Bills

Health Insurance Policy Information