Colorado Burial Assistance

Burial Assistance

The Burial Assistance program provides financial assistance to help pay for funeral, burial, and/or cremation costs.
Eligibility Requirements

* The deceased must have been a recipient of Aid to the Needy Disabled, Aid to the Blind, Colorado Supplement, Old Age Pension, or Medicaid while they were alive; and
* The estate of the deceased individual must be insufficient to pay reasonable expenses; and
* Persons legally responsible for the support of the deceased individual are unable to pay because of insufficient resources.

The total cost for the funeral/burial/cremation cannot exceed $2,500. The maximum contribution from the Burial Assistance program will be reduced by the decedent's estate. The County Department of Social (Human) Services will determine whether any funds are available from the decedent's estate or from legally responsible persons that will reduce the Burial Assistance program benefit.

Resources that may be counted include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Any cash, checking or savings account balances.
* The equity value of the home or other real property.
* The equity value of any vehicles or other personal property owned by the decedent.
* Funds from any insurance policy owned by the decedent is counted regardless of who is named a beneficiary.
* Other assets such as stocks, bonds, 401k's, annuities, and mutual funds.
* The value of any prepaid burial plan.

What is the Maximum Reimbursement Amount?

The maximum reimbursement depends upon the program from which the decedent received benefits.

* For individuals age 60 and over who were receiving Old Age Pension or Medicaid at the time of death or for individuals of any age who were receiving Medicaid benefits for families and children at the time of death, the Burial Assistance program contribution is limited to a maximum of $1,500.
* For individuals who were receiving benefits from Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND), Aid to the Blind (AB), Colorado Supplement to AND or AB, or Supplemental Security Income/Medicaid-Only at the time of death, the Burial Assistance program contribution is limited to a maximum of $1,000.