Turning 60 with little or no income can be scary, especially if you’re too young for Medicare. Paying for groceries, housing, and medical care can become difficult when you don’t have enough money coming in.
Colorado has a program that may help with both monthly expenses and health care.
Colorado’s Old Age Pension (OAP) provides monthly cash assistance to eligible residents age 60 and older. If you receive OAP but don’t qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), you may also qualify for limited medical coverage through the OAP Health and Medical Care Program.
Here’s how the two programs work together and how to apply.
What Is Colorado’s Old Age Pension?
Old Age Pension is a monthly cash benefit for Colorado residents age 60 and older who have limited income and resources.
The program is administered through county human services departments and helps eligible older adults pay for everyday needs.
According to the Colorado Department of Human Services, the OAP monthly grant standard is $1,032 as of January 2026.
However, that doesn’t mean everyone receives $1,032 each month.
Your actual payment depends on your financial circumstances, including other income you receive. Social Security and other benefits may affect how much OAP pays.
You can learn more about the program through Boulder County’s Old Age Pension information page.
What Is the OAP Health and Medical Care Program?
The OAP Health and Medical Care Program provides limited health coverage to eligible people who receive Old Age Pension but don’t qualify for Health First Colorado.
You may also hear this program called:
- State Medical Program
- Modified Medical Plan
- Limited Health First Colorado
- OAP State Only Program
This coverage can be especially helpful for adults ages 60 to 64 who aren’t yet eligible for Medicare based on age.
However, the program isn’t necessarily limited to people under 65. Some older OAP recipients may also qualify if they aren’t eligible for Health First Colorado.
You must receive Old Age Pension to qualify for this medical program. It isn’t a separate health insurance option that anyone can apply for without OAP.
What Does the Health Program Cover?
The OAP Health and Medical Care Program covers certain medical services, although benefits are more limited than regular Health First Colorado coverage.
According to the state’s OAP Rate Information page, covered services include:
- Doctor and clinic visits: Practitioner services and outpatient care.
- Prescriptions: Pharmacy services covered under the program’s rules.
- Dental care: Dental services, including emergency dental treatment.
- Lab tests and X-rays: Diagnostic testing and imaging.
- Home health and hospice care: Eligible services and medical supplies.
- Emergency transportation: Covered emergency medical transportation.
- Hospital care: Limited inpatient hospital services.
Not every medical service or prescription is necessarily covered. Some services have restrictions, and hospital coverage is particularly limited.
The program also has rules about copays.
Copays are the same as those under Health First Colorado, with a maximum annual member copay of $300.
That $300 limit applies to member copays under this program. It does not mean that every medical expense is covered or that all other costs are limited to $300.
Another important rule is that OAP medical benefits are not retroactive. Coverage cannot begin before your application date, and eligibility must be established under the program’s rules.
Who Qualifies?
Because the medical program is connected to Old Age Pension, it’s important to understand the requirements for both.
Old Age Pension Requirements
To qualify for OAP cash assistance, you generally must:
- Be 60 years old or older.
- Live in Colorado.
- Have limited income and financial resources.
- Meet the program’s other applicable eligibility requirements.
Colorado’s published resource limits are:
- $2,000 for a single person.
- $3,000 for a married couple.
Income rules and payment calculations are separate from these resource limits. Ask your county human services department about the current income standards and how your other benefits may affect eligibility.
You may also be required to apply for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you’re potentially eligible.
Your county can explain which benefits you need to pursue and how they affect your OAP application.
OAP Health and Medical Care Requirements
To qualify for the medical program, you must:
- Receive Old Age Pension.
- Not qualify for Health First Colorado.
- Not be a patient in an institution for tuberculosis or mental disease.
The medical program is often used by people ages 60 to 64, but age alone doesn’t determine eligibility once you’re receiving OAP.
If you’re 65 or older, your county can review whether you qualify for Health First Colorado or another available coverage option.
How Do I Apply?
You can apply for Colorado Old Age Pension through Colorado PEAK or your county Department of Human Services.
Start with the official Colorado PEAK application portal.
You can also contact or visit your county human services office for help applying.
When you apply, be prepared to provide information about:
- Your age and identity
- Colorado residency
- Income, including Social Security or other benefits
- Financial resources, such as bank accounts
- Homeownership or other financial circumstances, if requested
Your county will review your eligibility for Old Age Pension and determine whether you may also qualify for the OAP Health and Medical Care Program or Health First Colorado.
If you need medical coverage, ask specifically about the OAP Health and Medical Care Program so you understand whether it applies to your situation.
Because medical benefits aren’t retroactive, it’s important to apply as soon as you think you may qualify rather than waiting until you have medical bills.
Relief Recap
Colorado’s Old Age Pension can provide monthly cash assistance to eligible residents age 60 and older who have limited income and resources.
The monthly grant standard is $1,032 in 2026, but your actual payment depends on your financial situation.
Some OAP recipients who don’t qualify for Health First Colorado may also receive limited medical coverage for doctor visits, prescriptions, dental services, emergency transportation, and other eligible care.
The medical program has a $300 annual member copay limit, but coverage is limited and does not apply retroactively.
If you’re 60 or older and struggling to afford everyday expenses or health care, visit Colorado PEAK or contact your county Department of Human Services to ask about Old Age Pension and its medical coverage.
