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How to Apply for Disability Benefits in Colorado

Written by

Jackie Jakab

Lead Attorney

Published July 17, 2024

3 min read

Why trust us?

Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard-trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience and has helped over 50,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.

See if you qualify

If a health condition has left you unable to work, you’re not alone. Nearly 100,000 Coloradans currently receive disability benefits. However, the disability benefit application process can be stressful and long.

To help, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about qualifying for, applying for, and receiving disability benefits in Colorado.

What disability benefits are available in Colorado?

Colorado does not provide state disability benefits, but residents can apply for federal disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. Options for Coloradoans include:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): SSDI is a federal program that provides beneficiaries with monthly financial support and Medicare coverage. Most people qualify if they’ve worked and paid taxes for at least five out of the last ten years.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI benefits are for those with a limited employment history or low income. SSI provides monthly financial support and health insurance via Medicaid.
Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: The Department of Veterans Affairs distributes benefits to injured retired veterans and active duty service members.
Private insurance: Many people have short-term and long-term disability insurance through an employer or a private company. This is a great option that allows sick and injured workers to claim monthly financial support (typically up to 60% of their regular wages).
Workers’ compensation: Colorado requires employers, with limited exceptions, to provide employees with workers’ compensation benefits if they’re injured on the job.

If you’re unable to work for at least 12 months due to a non-work-related injury or medical condition, you likely qualify for SSDI benefits. The important question is whether you should apply for SSDI benefits, SSI benefits, or both (more on that below).

To qualify for either SSDI or SSI you’ll have to demonstrate your inability to work due to a medical condition or injury. To do so, you’ll submit relevant medical documentation like doctor’s notes, imaging, health records, and lab work.

Those under 50 years old additionally need to prove they’re unable to work any job, not just their most recent job. This shows the SSA that getting a different job that accommodates your disability isn’t a viable option. However, if you’re over 50, you don’t need to take this extra step. You just need to prove you’re unable to do your most recent job.

SSDI vs. SSI benefits

Now that we’ve reviewed what SSI and SSDI benefits are, let’s review the main differences between the two programs:

SSDI requires a minimum amount of time worked. In most cases, you need to have worked and paid taxes for five of the last ten years to qualify for SSDI. However, this amount of time varies slightly depending on your age. SSI, on the other hand, has no minimum required working time.
The average SSDI payment is higher. The average monthly payment for someone on SSDI is $1,537 whereas the average monthly payment for someone on SSI is $697.89. Remember, SSDI is based on your income history and how much Social Security tax you paid while working. The maximum monthly payment for SSDI is $3,822, and the maximum monthly payment for SSI is $943.
SSI is for low-income earners and those with few assets. If your assets total $2,000 or less ($3,000 or less if you’re married), you may qualify for SSI. So if you don’t have much income, SSI is a good option.

Average and maximum SSDI and SSI payment amounts in Colorado.

There are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare your Social Security disability application. Set aside plenty of time to gather all your documents and fill out the required forms. It’s a good idea to get this process started as soon as you’re aware of your medical condition and its lasting impact.

Preparing and applying for benefits is something you can do on your own, but it can be a long, tedious process. Working with a disability lawyer can help simplify the process, and they can submit an appeal if your application is rejected. Whether or not you seek outside help, below are the steps you should expect to take during the application process.

Gather documentation

Prepare your medical records, treatment plan, work and income history, and education records. You will also need to submit contact information for your healthcare providers. Make sure to locate and organize all of these documents before starting your application.

Create an SSA account

Make an account on SSA.gov to check eligibility, get a benefits estimate, and complete your application.

Fill out all necessary forms

There are two main forms to complete as part of your application. The main disability application and the Function Report (which documents how your health condition affects your daily life). You’ll likely need to fill out additional forms (such as the Work Activity Report and the Third Party Function Report), so read all directions from the SSA thoroughly.

Submit your application

Before submitting your application online or in person, make sure it is thoroughly filled out. Don’t leave any questions unanswered because incomplete information will delay your application.

Follow up with the SSA

Confirm the SSA received your application and follow up periodically to ensure it’s being processed. If you choose to work with a disability lawyer, they’ll handle this step for you.

Submit additional information if needed

If the SSA requests additional documentation or information, make sure to submit it in a timely manner. You typically have up to 10 days to submit requested information, but the sooner you submit it, the less likely you will experience delays.

How to submit your application

There are three ways to submit your application to the SSA, including:

Online: You can apply online at SSA.gov.
Over the phone: You can apply over the phone by calling your local SSA office or their national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.
In-person: You can also apply in person at your local SSA office.

SSA offices in Colorado

If you’d like to apply for Social Security disability benefits via phone or in person (or have additional questions about how to apply for disability in Colorado), call or visit your local SSA office.

Alamosa

602 Del Sol Drive 1A Alamosa, CO 81101