How to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in Colorado

If you live in Colorado and your SNAP (food stamps) benefits were denied, reduced, closed, or delayed, you may have the right to appeal and ask for a fair hearing. This is a formal way to tell the state you disagree with a decision and want it reviewed.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government agency, does not process SNAP applications or appeals, and cannot make decisions about your case. This guide explains how the appeals and fair hearing process for SNAP in Colorado typically works so you can take your next steps through official state and county channels.

SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings in Colorado: The Basics

In Colorado, SNAP is run through the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), usually handled at the county human services or social services office.

When the county makes a decision about your case, you should receive a written notice. That notice usually explains:

• What decision was made
• The effective date of the decision
• Why the decision was made
• How to appeal
• The deadline for requesting a fair hearing

If you disagree with that decision, you can usually:

1. Ask for an informal review (sometimes called a conference or reconsideration), and/or
2. Request a fair hearing with an impartial hearing officer or administrative law judge.

You do not have to do an informal review before asking for a fair hearing, but many people find it helpful.

Common Reasons to Appeal a SNAP Decision

You might consider an appeal or fair hearing if you believe the county:

• Wrongly denied your SNAP application
• Reduced your benefits based on incorrect information
• Closed your case when you still met eligibility rules
• Delayed processing your application or recertification beyond normal timelines
• Miscounted your income or expenses
• Did not add household members correctly (for example, a new baby or a returning child)
• Overstated an overpayment or said you owe more than you think is correct

If something in the notice doesn’t match your situation, or you don’t understand why a decision was made, you can usually ask for clarification and, if needed, request a hearing.

Deadlines: How Long You Have to Appeal in Colorado

Deadlines are one of the most important parts of the process. For SNAP in Colorado, typical timelines are:

• General deadline to ask for a fair hearing: often 90 days from the date on the notice
• To keep your current benefits going while you appeal: you may need to request a hearing within 10 days of the notice (or by the date your benefits are scheduled to change, if that is later)

Your exact rights and timelines can depend on:

• The type of decision (denial, reduction, closure, overpayment)
• Whether you are appealing a new decision or a change to existing benefits

Always read your notice carefully. The notice is your best guide for:

• The exact deadline
• Where to submit your appeal request
• Any options to keep your benefits from changing during the appeal

If you are not sure, you can contact your county human services office or the state’s SNAP hotline and ask them to explain the deadlines listed on your notice.

Ways to Request a SNAP Appeal or Fair Hearing in Colorado

Colorado typically allows several ways to request an appeal or fair hearing. The options can vary by county, but commonly include:

1. In Writing (Mail, Fax, or In-Person Drop-Off)

Most people request a hearing by submitting a written request to their:

• County human services/social services office, or
• State office listed on the notice

Your written request should usually include:

• Your full name
• Your case number (from your notice or EBT card paperwork)
• Your address and phone number
• A statement that you want to appeal or request a fair hearing
• A brief explanation of what you disagree with (optional but helpful)

You can often:

• Mail the request
• Fax the request
• Hand-deliver it to your local county office and ask for a date-stamped copy for your records

2. Phone Request

Some counties or the state SNAP line may allow you to request a hearing by phone. If you do this:

• Write down the date and time of your call
• Get the name or ID of the person you spoke to
• Ask if you will receive a written confirmation of your hearing request

Phone requests may still be followed by paperwork sent to you. Check your mail regularly.

3. Online or Through the State Benefits Portal

Colorado often uses an online benefits portal for applications and some case actions. In some situations, you may be able to:

• Send a message through your online account, or
• Access forms related to appeals

Because online options can change, it’s best to:

• Log in to the official Colorado benefits portal (not a private website), or
• Call your county office and ask whether SNAP hearing requests can be started online

Simple Comparison: Appeal Options for SNAP in Colorado

Always verify the correct address, fax number, phone number, or portal from your official notice or by calling your county office directly.

What to Include in Your Appeal or Hearing Request

To reduce delays or confusion, it helps to include:

• Your full legal name
• Case number or EBT card number
• Current mailing address and phone number
• Statement that you are requesting an appeal/fair hearing for SNAP
• The date of the notice you are appealing (from the top of the letter)
• Whether you want your benefits to continue during the appeal (if applicable and available)
• Whether you need interpreter services or other accommodations

You don’t have to write a long explanation, but it can help to say something like:

Informal Review vs. Formal Fair Hearing

In Colorado, you may have access to two main levels of review:

Informal Review or Conference

Some counties offer an informal step where:

• You talk with your caseworker or a supervisor
• You go over the decision and paperwork
• Errors can sometimes be fixed without a formal hearing

You can usually:

• Request this through your county office, either by phone, in person, or in writing
• Ask if it will affect your right to a fair hearing or your hearing deadlines (usually it should not, but ask to be sure)

Formal Fair Hearing

The fair hearing is a more formal process where:

• An impartial hearing officer or administrative law judge listens to both you and the agency
• You can bring documents, witnesses, or a representative (such as a legal aid advocate)
• A written decision is issued after the hearing

You have the right to a formal fair hearing even if you tried an informal review first, as long as you request it within the official deadlines.

Preparing for Your SNAP Fair Hearing in Colorado

Preparation can make a big difference. Before the hearing, consider gathering:

1. Basic Personal and Case Information

• Your hearing notice
• Your original decision notice (denial, closure, reduction, overpayment, etc.)
• Your case number and any recent correspondence from the county

2. Income and Expense Documents

Collect any documents that support your side, such as:

• Pay stubs or employer statements
• Unemployment, Social Security, or disability benefit letters
• Rent or mortgage statements
• Utilities (electric, gas, water, trash) bills
• Child support orders or payment records
• Child care receipts or provider statements
• Medical expense records (if relevant to SNAP deductions, such as for elderly/disabled households)

3. Household and Identity Documents

• ID for household members, if required
• Birth certificates or other proof of household members (such as for a newborn)
• Proof of residency (lease, mail, or other documentation)

4. Evidence of What You Submitted

If your case involves missing or late paperwork, it may help to gather:

• Copies of forms you turned in
• Date-stamped receipts from the county office
• Fax confirmation pages or mail tracking receipts
• Any email or portal messages confirming submission

What Happens at the Hearing

The process can vary, but a typical SNAP fair hearing in Colorado may look like this:

1. Introduction

   • The hearing officer explains the process and swears in participants.

2. Agency’s Explanation

   • The county explains the decision and presents its evidence.

3. Your Opportunity to Respond

   • You can speak, explain what you disagree with, and present your documents.
   • You can ask questions about the county’s information.
   • You may bring witnesses (for example, your landlord or employer) and a representative (such as an attorney or legal aid worker), if available.

4. Questions from the Hearing Officer

   • The officer may ask questions to understand the situation better.

5. Closing Statements

   • Each side may summarize their main points.

6. After the Hearing

   • The hearing officer usually does not decide on the spot.
   • A written decision is mailed to you. It explains whether the decision is upheld, changed, or reversed, and usually describes any next steps.

Can You Keep Your SNAP Benefits During the Appeal?

In many cases, if you already receive SNAP and you are appealing a reduction or closure, you may be able to continue receiving the same benefit amount while your appeal is pending.

Important points:

• You usually must request your appeal within a short deadline (often 10 days from the date on the notice) to keep benefits unchanged.
• If you lose the appeal, you may be asked to repay benefits that were issued during the appeal period.
• If you win, your benefits may be restored or adjusted.

Because this can affect your future benefits or potential overpayment, it’s wise to:

• Ask your county worker or SNAP hotline to explain the specific rules for “aid paid pending” in your case.
• Make your decision after understanding both the help and the risks.

After the Hearing Decision

Once you receive the hearing decision letter:

• If you win your appeal:

  • The county is usually required to correct your benefits according to the decision.
  • This may result in back benefits if you were underpaid.

• If you partly win and partly lose:

  • Some parts of the county’s decision may change; others may stay the same.
  • The letter should explain exactly what will happen.

• If you lose your appeal:

  • The county’s decision will generally stand.
  • If you continued benefits during the appeal and the decision went against you, you might owe an overpayment.

If you disagree with the hearing decision itself, there may be additional review or court options, but these are often more complex. At this stage, many people contact legal aid or another legal service organization for advice.

Common Reasons SNAP Appeals Are Denied or Not Successful

Hearing officers follow state and federal SNAP rules, which can be strict. Common issues include:

• Missed deadlines for requesting a hearing
• Not attending the hearing (this can lead to dismissal unless you quickly explain and reschedule)
• Insufficient evidence to show that the original decision was incorrect under the rules
• The county correctly applying the eligibility rules, even if the result feels unfair
• Changes in your situation after the original decision that don’t affect whether that past decision was correct

If something prevents you from attending your scheduled hearing (for example, illness or transportation problems), contact the hearing office or county as soon as possible and ask if the hearing can be rescheduled.

Getting Help With a SNAP Appeal in Colorado

You are allowed to have someone help you with your SNAP fair hearing. This could be:

• A friend or family member
• A community advocate
• A legal aid attorney or other lawyer

To find potential legal help or advocacy:

• Look for Colorado legal aid organizations that handle public benefits cases.
• Call 211 (a community information line in many areas) and ask for referrals for legal help with SNAP appeals.
• Ask your county office if they know about local legal clinics or advocacy groups.

If you appoint a representative, you may need to:

• Sign a form authorizing them to speak to the agency on your behalf
• Tell the hearing officer and county who your representative is

If You Do Not Qualify for SNAP or Your Appeal Is Unsuccessful

If you are not eligible for SNAP, or your appeal does not change the decision, you might still find help through other resources, such as:

• Food pantries and food banks
• Community meal programs (soup kitchens, senior meal sites, etc.)
• Faith-based organizations that provide groceries or emergency aid
• Local charities that help with groceries, utilities, or rent
• 211 or a local information and referral line that can connect you with food and basic needs programs

These organizations are usually separate from SNAP and have their own rules for who they can help. Your county office or local community organizations may also maintain lists of food resources in your area.

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official Colorado SNAP Channels

Because SNAP involves personal information and benefits, it’s important to avoid scams and unofficial services.

Use these tips to stay safe:

• Do not share your Social Security number, birthdate, or EBT card number with people who call, text, or email you unexpectedly.
• Make sure you are contacting:
  • Your county human services/social services office,
  • The Colorado Department of Human Services, or
  • The official state benefits portal.
• Check that any website you use is clearly an official Colorado government site (usually ending in .gov) before you log in or enter personal information.
• Be cautious of any service that:
  • Promises guaranteed approvals
  • Charges high fees to “speed up” appeals
  • Asks you to pay to submit a hearing request (SNAP fair hearing requests are generally free)

If you are unsure whether a phone number or website is official:

• Call your county human services office directly using a number from the phone book or another trusted source, and
• Ask them to confirm the correct website, portal, or mailing address for SNAP appeals and fair hearings in Colorado.

By understanding your rights, deadlines, and the basic steps for appealing a SNAP decision in Colorado, you can better navigate the process through the official state and county offices that handle these cases.