Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Benefits in Colorado

To qualify for federal disability benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease must be severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work. You generally need a medical diagnosis and proof that your condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. For SSDI, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes. For SSI, your income and resources must be limited. The Social Security Administration uses specific medical criteria to decide if your COPD qualifies as a disability[1].

In Colorado, adults with disabilities like COPD may qualify for additional programs. For example, the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program allows working adults with disabilities to buy into Medicaid, even if their income is too high for regular Medicaid. You must be employed, have a qualifying disability (such as COPD), and your income must be below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level. The Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO) program provides cash assistance to low-income residents with disabilities who are actively pursuing SSI benefits. You must be between 18 and 59, have a qualifying disability, and meet income and resource limits[2][3].

• Gather your medical records and proof of income.
• Visit the Social Security website or your local office to apply for SSDI or SSI.
• For Colorado-specific programs, apply through the Health First Colorado website or your county human services office.
• Contact the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for help with the application process.
• Report any changes in your income or health to keep your benefits active.

• Step 1: Get a medical diagnosis and documentation from your doctor confirming your COPD and its impact on your ability to work.
• Step 2: Apply for federal disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office. You will need to provide your medical records, work history, and personal information[1].
• Step 3: If you are working and need health insurance, apply for the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program through the Health First Colorado website. You will need to prove your disability and income[2].
• Step 4: If you need cash assistance while waiting for SSI, apply for the Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO) program through your county human services office. You must be actively pursuing SSI benefits[3].
• Step 5: Contact the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for help with the application process and to understand how work affects your benefits[5].
• Step 6: Report any changes in your income, health, or living situation to keep your benefits active and avoid overpayments[4].

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides monthly benefits to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes and are unable to work due to a disability.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides monthly benefits to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
• Medicare: Available to people who receive SSDI after a waiting period.
• Medicaid: Available to people who receive SSI or meet other eligibility criteria[1].

• Health First Colorado Buy-In Program: Allows working adults with disabilities to buy into Medicaid, even if their income is too high for regular Medicaid. You must be employed, have a qualifying disability, and your income must be below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level[2].
• Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO): Provides cash assistance to low-income residents with disabilities who are actively pursuing SSI benefits. The maximum grant is $248 per month, and you must meet income and resource limits[3].
• Colorado ABLE Accounts: Allows people with disabilities to save money without losing eligibility for means-tested benefits. You must have a qualifying disability that started before age 26[6].
• Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): Provides help with applying for disability benefits, finding jobs, and understanding how work affects your benefits[5].

Colorado ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save money without losing eligibility for means-tested benefits. To qualify, you must have a qualifying disability that started before age 26. You can self-certify if you are not entitled to SSI or SSDI, but you must have a written diagnosis from a physician[6].

For the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program, your income must be below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level. For the AND-SO program, you must have limited income and resources (maximum $2,000 for an unmarried client, $3,000 for a married client)[2][3].

You must report any changes in your income, health, or living situation to keep your benefits active and avoid overpayments. Failure to report changes can result in penalties or loss of benefits[4].

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

  Website

  Help with applying for disability benefits and work incentives.
• Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
  Phone: 1-800-221-3943

  Website

  Apply for Medicaid and the Buy-In Program.
• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Website

  Apply for SSDI and SSI benefits.

• 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 and maximize your income[5].

• What medical documentation do I need for COPD disability benefits?

  You need a medical diagnosis and documentation from your doctor confirming your COPD and its impact on your ability to work. This should include test results, treatment history, and a statement about your functional limitations[1].

• How do I apply for Medicaid if I have COPD in Colorado?

  If you have COPD and are working, you may qualify for the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program. Apply through the Health First Colorado website and provide proof of your disability and income[2].

• What is the Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only program?

  The AND-SO program provides cash assistance to low-income Colorado residents with disabilities who are actively pursuing SSI benefits. The maximum grant is $248 per month, and you must meet income and resource limits[3].

• Can I save money if I have a disability in Colorado?

  Yes, you can save money in a Colorado ABLE account without losing eligibility for means-tested benefits. You must have a qualifying disability that started before age 26[6].

• How does work affect my disability benefits in Colorado?

  Working can affect your disability benefits, but there are work incentives and programs to help you keep your benefits while you work. Contact a certified benefits counselor for help[7].