Colorado Works or TANF

The Colorado Works Program (sometimes referred to as TANF or Temporary Aid to Needy Families) provides temporary assistance and intensive support to help eligible families secure employment and attain self-sufficiency.

Eligibility requirements

Services are available to pregnant women, as well as families that have one or more children in their care.

Requesting assistance

• Complete an application form at the Mesa County Workforce Center  or online at Colorado PEAK websites
• Applicants must provide the County with proof of income and resources, age, social security number, residence costs, shelter costs, work or school status, and other information for all household members
• Cooperation with child support enforcement activities is required.

Receiving Benefits

Qualifying families receive payments to help with necessary expenses:

• Payments are issued in the form of an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card
• The amount of the monthly assistance payment depends on a number of factors, including the number of people who are eligible and the income of family members
• Recipients of Colorado Works assistance are required to participate in work activities. MCDHS and the Mesa County Workforce Center will provide employment and training services to recipients of Colorado Works assistance.

Other Programs and Services (Additional programs and services for which Colorado Works eligible families may qualify)

• In many cases, eligible Colorado Works families qualify for food assistance to help meet their food needs.
• In many cases, each member of the family receiving Colorado Works assistance will also qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) medical assistance to help pay medical expenses.
• If needed, the Child Support Enforcement Unit will provide all necessary child support services to eligible parents, including establishing paternity, establishing and enforcing a support obligation and collecting support payments.

Client Direct Deposit Enrollment Form For Cash Assistance Benefits

Did you know that if you receive cash assistance benefits, you can have that cash directly deposited into your bank account? Go to the direct deposit enrollment form.