Colorado Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

Program Overview

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is funded by the Federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program provides assistance to senior citizens of age 60 or above with their diet by providing nutritious and healthy food. In Colorado, the program is run by the Colorado Department of Human Services (DHS). The CSFP program also provides food assistance and fund to Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) as designed by the USDA.

Program Goals

The main aim of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is to improve the health conditions of elderly people by providing them with good source of nutritious food. It helps them add valuable nutrition to their diet by purchasing food that is healthy and nutritious. This leads them to live a healthy and self- sustaining lifestyle subsequently increasing the quality of life of the senior-citizen people in the state.

The eligible candidates for Colorado Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) are covered by government agencies, nutritionists, and local community-based organizations. These organizations make sure that the individuals are fully educated about the program so that they can approach the application process in a well-informed manner. This helps families to make adequate decisions to take full benefit from the largest hunger preventive program in the country.

Eligibility Requirements

Only eligible applicants can avail the benefits of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the eligibility requirements include,

• The candidate should be a permanent resident of Colorado state
• The candidate must have a US citizenship or legal alien to receive the food supplement program
• The candidate must be a senior citizen with age 60 or above
• The candidate should have an income level below 130% of the  income guidelines provided by the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

The Colorado CSFP takes into account any nutritional risks that a candidate might have and at times may also require the candidate to stay in the area where their agency is located when they are applying for the program. It should be kept in mind that the program does not provide a complete food package to eligible individuals rather help the individuals to keep a diet that is healthy and nutritious.

The number of members in a household and total household income is also very important factors while considering a candidate for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

You can also visit the Colorado DHS website to check your eligibility for the program. The applicant will have to provide information like,

• Earnings
• Rent or mortgage
• Utility expenses
• Child support expenses
• Day-care expenses
• Medical bills
• Other benefit programs you have applied to
• Any other payments

How to Apply

There are multiple ways to apply for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) including

• Online Application

To apply for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) visit the Colorado Department of Human Services website. Here you can access the online application which you can then fill out and submit online to get the program’s benefits.

• Apply through the local office

Another easy way of applying for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is by applying through the Colorado Department of Human Service office in your county. The office will provide the possible assistance and the representatives there will make the whole process less daunting by providing the necessary information. You can download the application form through the DHS website and fill it as accurately and truthfully as possible because false statements can lead you to penalties. Once the application is submitted you cannot change it hence it is advisable to be careful while filling out the application form.

Before filling the application form make sure you have all the required information to speed up the process. Once you have filled out the application form you can return it to the food stamp office either by email, mail, fax or in-person. You can email at USDAFoods@fns.usda.gov in case you have any queries regarding the program.

• Apply via phone call

Individuals interested in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in the state of Colorado can contact the program office by visiting the Food Distribution  website

For Further Information

In case of queries or any extra data required, information about the Commodity Supplemental Food Program is available on the Colorado Department of Human Services official website. The website provides information regarding the program policies and guidelines to applicants to help them get a better understating of the program.

Furthermore, you can visit the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP’s) homepage to learn more about the program. This makes the application process very flexible for the applicants who can use any of the above-mentioned methods to apply for the CSFP program’s benefits in the state of Colorado. You can also visit CSFP Agency Contact List  to take further information.