As in the other US states (and territories), Colorado has a robust and functional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) system, and thousands of residents rely on this monthly money to feed their families. Now, the money you get in your EBT card might be not enough sometimes, but there are some tricks that you might be missing. This trick can even double up your money. That’s right, your money can buy twice as much food, but hear me out: you gotta learn the magic.
In Colorado, there’s a fantastic opportunity to make the most of your SNAP benefits. Let’s learn together to double up your purchasing power with your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, by taking advantage of the Double Up Food Bucks program, which is available far and wide in Colorado, in selected locations but, for sure, some will be close to you.
How to double up your SNAP benefits money in Colorado
If you’re a resident of Colorado with SNAP benefits, and want to make the most of your food budget while enjoying fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, the Double Up Food Bucks program is an excellent resource. This program matches your SNAP benefits, allowing you to stretch your dollars further and improve your access to healthy produce. In this guide, we’ll explore the various ways you can utilize the Double Up Food Bucks program in Colorado.
There are four ways to double up your SNAP money. The first one is shopping at the farmers’ market: When you visit your local farmers market, bring your EBT card and head to the information booth. This booth handles all card payments, including credit, debit, and SNAP. Let the market staff know how much you’d like to spend using your EBT card. They will swipe your card and provide you with paper SNAP bucks. These bucks can be used to purchase any eligible food item at the market, except for hot and ready-to-eat foods. Additionally, they will match your SNAP bucks dollar for dollar with Double Up Food Bucks specifically designated for Colorado-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. As an example: if you spend $10 from your actual EBT card funds, you’ll get $10 in SNAP bucks.
- If you do your shopping in a supermarket or grocery store: bring your EBT card and look for Double Up Food Bucks partner locations. At the register, for every dollar you spend on SNAP-eligible items, you will receive a dollar off Colorado-grown fruits or vegetables.
- You can also make use of this benefit in participating farm stands: bring your EBT card and choose your favorite Colorado-grown produce. At the checkout, when you use SNAP, you’ll either receive a 50% discount on your produce purchase or earn $1 in Double Up Food Bucks for every dollar spent with SNAP.
The last option is to harvest your Double Up Food Bucks in your local Food Box or CSA spot (Community Supported Agriculture): in this social organizations, you can receive pre-packed boxes of fresh, locally sourced food from farmers in your community. To utilize Double Up Food Bucks with a CSA or Food Box, simply order a box through a participating CSA’s website or by calling them.
These additional benefits are available for SNAP beneficiaries
In addition to the food benefits offered by the SNAP system, there are a number of other side benefits that you can receive just by having your EBT card and using it in the right places. In the state of Colorado, EBT cardholders there are special prices at cultural events and specialized places such as museums and educational farms.
Take a look at the list here, which includes museums in Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Englewood, Fort Collins, Fort Garland, and many places more in the state.
How can you check if you are eligible for SNAP benefits in Colorado?
To check if you are eligible for SNAP benefits in Colorado, you can use the pre-screening tool on the Colorado PEAK website. This tool will help you determine if you meet the income requirements, which are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Additionally, there are specific eligibility criteria for certain groups, such as students and individuals with disabilities.
Here are the steps you can follow to check your eligibility for SNAP benefits in Colorado:
- Visit the Colorado PEAK website. (https://peak–coloradopeak.force.com/peak/s/peak-landing-page?language=en_US)
- Use the pre-screening tool to enter your information, such as household size and income.
- The tool will provide an assessment of your eligibility based on the information you provided.
It’s important to note that the pre-screening tool is not an application for SNAP benefits, but it will give you an indication of whether you may be eligible. To apply for SNAP benefits, you will need to complete an application through the appropriate channels, such as the Colorado PEAK website or by contacting your local office