Colorado Works Child-Only Grant for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
What Is a Child-Only Colorado Works Grant?
Colorado Works is the state's TANF program, and it has a stream most grandparents never hear about: the child-only grant. When a relative — grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling — takes in a child whose parents are out of the home, the caregiver can apply for cash assistance that covers only the child. The key detail: the caregiver's own income, pension, Social Security, and assets are completely excluded from the eligibility calculation. The state looks at the child's resources alone.
That means a retired grandparent receiving $2,400 a month in Social Security can still qualify the grandchild for a child-only Colorado Works grant, because that retirement check never enters the equation.
How Much Does the Grant Pay?
The Basic Cash Assistance (BCA) table under 9 CCR 2503-6-3.606 sets the amounts statewide. For a one-child household with no caretaker in the assistance unit, the monthly grant is $173. Two children bring it to $362. Three children: $543. Each additional child adds roughly $90 a month. These figures are uniform across all 64 Colorado counties — Adams, Denver, El Paso, Mesa, and everywhere else.
The grant deposits monthly via direct deposit or an EBT card, just like other Colorado Works payments.
Who Counts as a Non-Needy Caretaker Relative?
Colorado Works defines a qualifying caretaker relative as someone related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption within the fifth degree of kinship. Grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, nieces, nephews, and first cousins all qualify. A non-relative who holds legal guardianship or court-ordered custody also qualifies.
If none of those formal ties exist, the county can still approve the arrangement under the "prudent person principle" — using school records, medical forms, or a sworn statement confirming the caregiver exercises primary physical responsibility for the child.
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No Work Requirements, No Time Limits
Because the caregiver isn't receiving cash for themselves, child-only cases are exempt from both the federal and state work participation requirements. There are no mandatory job search activities, no workforce development meetings, and no sanctions for not working.
The federal 60-month lifetime benefit limit doesn't apply either. A child can receive the grant while under 18 (or under 19 if enrolled full-time in high school or vocational training), provided income rules stay met.
The Child Support Cooperation Requirement
There's one obligation that trips people up: applicants must cooperate with Colorado Child Support Services (CSS) to establish paternity and pursue support from the absent parents. The county uses collected support to offset unreimbursed public assistance.
If cooperating would put the child or caregiver in danger — because of domestic violence, a protective order, or another safety concern — you can claim a Good Cause exemption. You'll need corroborating evidence: a police report, a restraining order, medical records, or a statement from a licensed mental health professional.
How to Apply Through Colorado PEAK
Applications go through the Colorado PEAK portal at peak.my.site.com or the MyCOBenefits mobile app. When filling out the household section, list yourself as the caretaker and the child as the applicant. Do not enter your own income in the child's income fields — the portal's prompts can be confusing on this point.
Bring (or upload) the child's birth certificate or passport, Social Security numbers for you and the child, proof of Colorado residency, and documentation of your relationship to the child. If you don't have a court order, school enrollment records showing your name as primary contact work as alternative verification.
The application routes to your county Department of Human Services, which processes it and schedules any needed interview.
What the Guide Covers Beyond the Grant
The child-only Colorado Works grant is one piece of a larger benefits picture. Colorado kinship caregivers may also qualify for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) for the child, SNAP food benefits, CCCAP child care assistance, and — if the child came through child welfare — guardianship assistance payments through RGAP. Our Colorado Kinship Financial Help guide walks through every program, the documents you need, and the application steps for each one.
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