Food, Cash, and Medical Assistance

Recent federal legislation will change SNAP and Medicaid eligibility for some Denver Human Services customers

For SNAP, beginning Nov. 1, 2025: 

• Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) ages 64 and under may need to work or volunteer 80 hours per month in order to remain eligible. Some exceptions apply.
• Parents whose youngest child is 14 years old or older may also need to work or volunteer 80 hours per month in order to remain eligible. Some exceptions apply.

For Medicaid, the same groups will be required to work or volunteer 80 hours per month in order to remain eligible. However, changes to Medicaid eligibility will be implemented no earlier than December 31, 2026. 

Additionally, noncitizen immigrants should be aware of the following:  

• Noncitizen immigrants who are NOT Legal Permanent Residents (noncitizens without green cards) will remain ineligible for SNAP.  
• Some immigrants with humanitarian relief such as asylum or refugee status will no longer be eligible for Medicaid starting October 1, 2026.  
• All noncitizen immigrants will remain eligible for Emergency Medicaid.

More information can be found at the websites of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing for Medicaid and the Colorado Department of Human Services for SNAP.