Social Security Programs

"People don't eat in the long run, they eat every day." -Harry Hopkins

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SNAP rules come from federal law and USDA regulations. Colorado adds its own rules within the options federal law allows.

Federal law: Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2011 and following.
Federal regulations: 7 CFR Parts 271–283. Most eligibility rules are in Part 273. The work-requirement time limit for adults without dependents (ABAWDs) is 7 CFR 273.24.
Colorado law: C.R.S. Title 26, Article 2, Part 3.
Colorado rules: 10 CCR 2506-1, the Colorado SNAP rule manual used by county workers.
State options Colorado uses: Broad-based categorical eligibility (a 200% FPL gross income limit with no asset test for most households).
Yearly updates: USDA adjusts income limits, deductions and benefit amounts every October 1 (cost-of-living adjustments).

Primary sources

Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (Cornell LII) — the federal law that creates SNAP.
7 CFR Part 273 (eCFR) — federal rules on who qualifies and how benefits are figured.
7 CFR 273.24 (eCFR) — the ABAWD time limit and its exceptions.
Code of Colorado Regulations — search "10 CCR 2506-1" for the Colorado SNAP rules.
Colorado Revised Statutes — look up Title 26, Article 2, Part 3.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

SNAP is federally funded and overseen, state supervised, and county administered in Colorado.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS): sets national rules, pays for benefits, and approves state plans.
FNS Mountain Plains Regional Office (Denver): the federal office that monitors Colorado.
Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS): supervises SNAP statewide, writes the state rules and runs the SNAP Support Line, 1-800-816-4451.
County human services departments: take applications, interview clients, decide eligibility and handle renewals.
Office of Administrative Courts: holds state fair hearings when a client appeals a county decision.
USDA Office of Inspector General: investigates fraud by retailers or recipients.

Primary sources

USDA FNS – SNAP — the federal program home page.
FNS Mountain Plains Region — the regional office that oversees Colorado.
CDHS – SNAP — state program information and contacts.
Colorado Office of Administrative Courts — public benefits hearings and appeals.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

Eligibility depends on household size, income, expenses and a few non-financial rules. Figures below are for October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (federal fiscal year 2027).

Gross income (Colorado): up to 200% FPL under broad-based categorical eligibility, about $2,660/month for 1 person, $3,607 for 2, $4,554 for 3 and $5,500 for 4. Most households have no asset test.
Federal gross limit (130% FPL): $1,729 for 1, $2,345 for 2, $2,960 for 3, $3,575 for 4. This still applies to households that do not get broad-based eligibility.
Net income (100% FPL): $1,330 for 1 up to $2,750 for 4. Households with an elderly (60+) or disabled member only need to meet this net test.
Deductions: standard deduction $217 (1–3 people) or $229 (4); 20% of earned income; dependent care; child support paid; medical costs over $35 for elderly/disabled members; excess shelter costs up to $769 (no cap for elderly/disabled); homeless shelter deduction $205.66.
Work rules: most adults 16–59 must register for work. ABAWDs ages 18–64 without a child under 14 can get only 3 months of SNAP in 3 years unless they work or train 80 hours a month or qualify for an exception.
Other rules: Colorado residency, a Social Security number, citizenship or qualifying immigration status (narrowed by H.R. 1), and limits for most college students.

How to apply

Apply online at PEAK, in the MyCOBenefits app, or at the county human services office. Questions: CDHS SNAP Support Line 1-800-816-4451.
A decision is due within 30 days. Households with very low income or resources can get expedited benefits within 7 days.

Primary sources

SNAP FY 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (USDA) — official income limits, deductions and benefit amounts from October 1, 2026.
Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (USDA FNS) — which states use BBCE and their income limits.
ABAWD work requirements (USDA FNS) — federal time-limit rules after H.R. 1.
Colorado ABAWD rules (CDHS) — how Colorado applies the time limit and exceptions.
Colorado PEAK — apply for or renew SNAP online.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

SNAP gives households a monthly amount on a Colorado EBT card to buy groceries. The amount is the maximum for the household size minus 30% of net income.

Maximum monthly benefit (from October 1, 2026): $306 for 1, $562 for 2, $808 for 3, $1,023 for 4, $1,217 for 5, $1,463 for 6, $1,616 for 7, $1,841 for 8.
Minimum benefit: $25 a month for eligible 1- and 2-person households.
What it buys: food to prepare at home and seeds or plants that grow food. Not alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, vitamins or household supplies.
Where: grocery stores, many farmers markets and online at approved retailers.
Double Up Food Bucks Colorado: matches SNAP spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating stores and markets.
SNAP Employment & Training: free job training and help with costs like transportation, run through the counties.
Appeals: a client can ask for a fair hearing within 90 days of a decision. Asking within 10 days of a reduction or closing notice keeps benefits going during the appeal.

Primary sources

SNAP FY 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (USDA) — current maximum and minimum benefit amounts.
What can SNAP buy? (USDA FNS) — the federal list of eligible and ineligible items.
Double Up Food Bucks Colorado — where the produce match is offered.
CDHS – SNAP — Colorado benefits, EBT card help and contacts.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

SNAP (once called food stamps) is the country's largest anti-hunger program. In Colorado it is run by the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) through county human services offices.

1939–1943: The first Food Stamp Program let people buy orange stamps and get free blue stamps for surplus food.
1961: President Kennedy started food stamp pilot programs.
1964: The Food Stamp Act made the program permanent.
1977: The Food Stamp Act of 1977 removed the purchase requirement (in effect January 1, 1979), so people no longer paid for stamps.
2004: Paper coupons ended. Every state now issues benefits on an EBT card.
October 1, 2008: The program was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The governing law became the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
July 4, 2025: H.R. 1 (Public Law 119-21) widened work rules, narrowed exemptions, limited some noncitizen eligibility, ended SNAP-Ed funding after September 30, 2025, and shifted more cost to states (75% of administrative costs from October 1, 2026; a share of benefit costs tied to error rates from October 2027).

Primary sources

A Short History of SNAP (USDA FNS) — official timeline from the federal agency that runs SNAP.
H.R. 1, Public Law 119-21 (Congress.gov) — full text of the 2025 law that changed SNAP work rules and funding.
Colorado SNAP (CDHS) — how the program works in Colorado today.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

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