NEW ONLINE TOOL OPENS ANOTHER DOOR TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR COLORADANS IN NEED

The Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) announced today that the second phase of the Program Eligibility and Application Kit (PEAK) website has been successfully launched. PEAK is an online service for Coloradans to screen themselves and apply for medical, food, and cash assistance programs from a home computer, library, kiosk, or anywhere the internet can be accessed.

“This new self-service function reduces barriers for people applying for programs like Medicaid, food assistance, and Colorado Works; eligible applicants can get services faster and easier,” explained Sue Birch, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

Reggie Bicha, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Human Services, added that “PEAK streamlines government, improves how we provide benefits to individuals and families across the state, and allows us to deliver services more efficiently, effectively, and elegantly.”

PEAK enables individuals to conveniently access a full suite of services right at the touch of a mouse, including the ability to:

· Anonymously screen for program eligibility

· Apply for benefits

· Check the status of benefits

· Update case information, including address changes and contacts

"In a time of limited resources and increased need, counties are striving to partner with the state to be more efficient, effective, and accountable,” stated Arapahoe County Commissioner Susan Beckman, Chair of Colorado Counties Inc. Health and Human Services Steering Committee. “PEAK demonstrates the value of this partnership and will not only provide more timely service for the citizens but will also save taxpayer dollars."

Individuals can complete the PEAK application and update information on their own or care providers can make applications on behalf of their clients, further streamlining the application process.

“PEAK truly transforms how we deliver critical benefits to the most vulnerable Coloradans,” said Secretary of Technology and State CIO Kristin Russell. “It increases self-sufficiency and empowers the citizens of our state to directly apply for the services that will improve their lives.”

For more information about the Program Eligibility and Application Kit (PEAK), visit Colorado.gov/PEAK.