Anxiety Disorders Benefits in Colorado: 2025 Guide

• To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have a severe anxiety disorder that prevents you from working and have enough work credits (usually 40, with 20 earned in the last 10 years).
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with anxiety disorders who have limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
• The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses specific medical criteria to determine if an anxiety disorder is disabling. This includes conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia that severely limit your ability to function.
• You must provide medical evidence, such as treatment records and a diagnosis from a qualified professional, to support your claim.
• For both SSI and SSDI, your disability must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Source: SSA Disability Qualifications (accessed 2025-11-05)

• Colorado residents with anxiety disorders may qualify for state programs like Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO), which provides interim cash assistance while you apply for SSI.
• To qualify for AND-SO, you must be 18-59, have a qualifying disability (including anxiety disorders) that prevents you from working, and meet income and resource limits.
• The Health First Colorado Buy-In Program allows working adults with disabilities, including anxiety disorders, to buy into Medicaid if their income is too high for regular Medicaid.
• You must be 16 or older, employed, have a qualifying disability (as defined by SSA), and your income after disregards must be below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Colorado also offers ABLE accounts for people with disabilities that started before age 26, including those with anxiety disorders.

Source: Health First Colorado Buy-In Program (accessed 2025-11-05), AND-SO Program (accessed 2025-11-05), Colorado ABLE Plans (accessed 2025-11-05)

• Gather medical records and a diagnosis from a qualified professional.
• Complete the Health First Colorado application online or in person.
• If you are not already receiving SSI or SSDI, you may need to complete a separate disability application for state programs.
• Contact the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) for help with the application process.
• Submit your application and wait for a determination.

Source: Impact Disability Law (accessed 2025-11-05)

• Step 1: Collect all relevant medical documentation, including treatment records, a diagnosis from a qualified professional, and any letters from your healthcare provider.
• Step 2: Complete the Health First Colorado application online at Colorado.gov/PEAK or in person at your local county human services office.
• Step 3: If you are not already receiving SSI or SSDI, fill out the Health First Colorado Disability Application. This will be reviewed by the state's disability determination vendor.
• Step 4: If you are applying for SSI or SSDI, complete the application online at SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance.
• Step 5: If you are applying for state programs like AND-SO, complete the application and provide proof of your disability and income.
• Step 6: Submit all required documents and wait for a determination. You may be contacted for additional information.
• Step 7: If approved, you will receive benefits and instructions on how to report changes in your income or circumstances.

Source: Impact Disability Law (accessed 2025-11-05), Health First Colorado Disability Determinations FAQ (accessed 2025-11-05), AND-SO Program (accessed 2025-11-05)

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides monthly benefits to people with anxiety disorders who have a work history and paid Social Security taxes.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides monthly benefits to people with anxiety disorders who have limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
• Medicare: Available to people who receive SSDI after a 24-month waiting period.
• Medicaid: Available to people who receive SSI or meet other eligibility criteria.

Source: SSA Disability Benefits (accessed 2025-11-05)

• Health First Colorado Buy-In Program: Allows working adults with disabilities, including anxiety disorders, to buy into Medicaid if their income is too high for regular Medicaid. You pay a monthly premium based on your income.
• Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO): Provides interim cash assistance to low-income adults with disabilities, including anxiety disorders, while they apply for SSI.
• Colorado ABLE Accounts: Allows people with disabilities that started before age 26, including anxiety disorders, to save money without losing eligibility for means-tested benefits.
• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): Provides employment services and benefits planning for people with disabilities, including those with anxiety disorders.

Source: Health First Colorado Buy-In Program (accessed 2025-11-05), AND-SO Program (accessed 2025-11-05), Colorado ABLE Plans (accessed 2025-11-05), DVR Help Applying for SSDI (accessed 2025-11-05)

• Colorado ABLE accounts are available to people with disabilities that started before age 26, including those with anxiety disorders.
• You can save up to $17,000 per year (2025 limit) and up to $100,000 without losing SSI eligibility.
• Funds can be used for qualified disability expenses, such as education, housing, transportation, and personal support.
• To open an account, you must provide proof of disability, such as SSI or SSDI entitlement or a self-certification with a physician's diagnosis.

Source: Colorado ABLE Plans (accessed 2025-11-05)

• For SSI, the federal income limit is $943 per month for an individual (2025).
• For SSDI, there is no strict income limit, but you must not be able to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is $1,550 per month for most people in 2025.
• For Health First Colorado Buy-In, your income after disregards must be below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• For AND-SO, you must meet low-income requirements and have resources below $2,000 for an unmarried person or $3,000 for a married person.

Source: SSA SSI Limits (accessed 2025-11-05), Health First Colorado Buy-In Program (accessed 2025-11-05), AND-SO Program (accessed 2025-11-05)

• You must report any changes in your income, resources, or living situation to avoid overpayments.
• Overpayments can result in repayment requirements and may affect your eligibility for future benefits.
• Report changes to your county human services office or through Colorado.gov/PEAK.
• If you receive an overpayment notice, contact your caseworker to discuss repayment options.

Source: Colorado Department of Human Services (accessed 2025-11-05), Health First Colorado (accessed 2025-11-05)

• Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  Phone: 1-303-866-4300

  Website

  For help with disability applications and work incentives.
• Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
  Phone: 1-800-221-3943

  Website

  For questions about Medicaid eligibility and applications.
• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Website

  For questions about SSI and SSDI benefits.

• Can anxiety disorders qualify for disability benefits in Colorado?

  Yes, anxiety disorders can qualify for SSI and SSDI if they meet the Social Security Administration's criteria for severity and duration. You must provide medical evidence to support your claim.

• What medical evidence is needed for a disability application in Colorado?

  You need treatment records, a diagnosis from a qualified professional, and any letters from your healthcare provider that document the severity and duration of your anxiety disorder.

• Can I work while applying for disability benefits in Colorado?

  Yes, you can work while applying for or receiving disability benefits in Colorado. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation can help you understand how work affects your benefits.

• What is the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program?

  The Health First Colorado Buy-In Program allows working adults with disabilities, including anxiety disorders, to buy into Medicaid if their income is too high for regular Medicaid. You pay a monthly premium based on your income.

• What is the AND-SO program in Colorado?

  The Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO) program provides interim cash assistance to low-income adults with disabilities, including anxiety disorders, while they apply for SSI.

• How do I apply for disability benefits in Colorado?

  Gather medical records, complete the Health First Colorado application online or in person, and contact the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for help with the application process.