Friday, August 31, 2018

Department of Human Services Public Assistance Systems Planned Outage

Public Assistance systems CBMS & PEAK / PEAKPro will be offline starting on Thursday, September 6, at 6:00 p.m. and will not be back up until Monday, September 10, at 7:00 a.m.

The CBMS & PEAK/ PEAKPro systems will be down for planned statewide system maintenance.
  Monday, September 10, the systems will be back online.

Mesa County Department of Human Services clients are being advised that there will be limited services for Food, Medical, and Cash Assistance on Friday, September 7.

Help that CAN be provided to clients during the outage:
  Acceptance of paper applications, change reports, and redeterminations
  Acceptance of verification documents and date-stamp them
  Completion of an eligibility interview
  Answering general questions about the application process, available benefits, and programs
  Referral of customers to additional services provided by local non-profits and safety net service organizations
  Issuance of replacement EBT cards (if identification is available)

Help that CANNOT be provided to clients during the outage:
  Access to specific case information
  Processing of applications, change reports, and redeterminations
  Making eligibility determinations of any kind
  Processing of verification documents
  Printing or accessing any correspondence
  Troubleshooting case issues
  Accessing PEAK / PEAKPro
  Putting new benefits on EBT cards
  Updating or creating individual plans for Workforce programs
  May not be able to issue supportive services for the Colorado Works / TANF program


During the outage, clients will be able to use any benefit that was issued to their EBT Card prior to the outage.

Monday, August 13, 2018

Join Mesa County in Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans, Aug. 20

Join Mesa County in Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans, Aug. 20


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Board of Mesa County Commissioners, in conjunction with the Mesa County Veterans Services, are honoring Mesa County Vietnam Veterans and their families at a  recognition ceremony Monday, Aug. 20 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, 2785 U.S. Highway 50.

“I am so honored that our Board is sponsoring this great event for our Veterans,” Mesa County Commissioner Rose Pugliese, said.

The event gives Mesa County residents a chance to show their appreciation and support to those who have served our great nation during the Vietnam era.

Refreshments and snacks will be available, provided by the kitchens of Hilltop Senior Living Communities. Informational booths will also be available for the Veteran Affairs Hospital and various community veteran resources.

The event is open to the public and is free to attend.


Wednesday, August 8, 2018

2018 Senior Law Day Conference

You are never too young, or too old to start planning for retirement and beyond.
This year’s Senior Law Day is hoping to bring in boomers, seniors and caregivers who might be caring for aging parents or to even begin planning for their own future. 

 Highlights:
  • §  Over 20 Attorneys available for one-one-one consults
  • §  Choose from 30 pertinent presentations by area experts geared towards boomers, seniors, and caregivers (see attached list of workshop presenters)
  • §  Meet over 30 exhibitors and sponsors §  Enjoy lunch


The Senior Law Day Conference
Aug  17, 2018
7:30-3:00pm
7:30am Doors Open
8:30am Sessions start
Two Rivers Convention Center
159 Main St, Grand Junction

Registration is $5.00-
Which includes lunch, presentations, vendor show & materials
(Pre-registration is required by dialing 211)

This daylong event will include presentations, vendor booths, lunch and door prizes.  Presentations will be offered on a wide variety of issues ranging from reverse mortgages, wills & trusts to long-term care planning, and much more.


TO PRE-REGISTER. Dial 211




Welfare Fraud Case Submitted to the DA for prosecution

The Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS) Fraud and Recovery Unit recently sent a case of suspected Medical Assistance fraud to the Mesa County District Attorney’s office totaling over $154,000.00 which is the highest amount of a fraudulent government benefits case Mesa County has had to dateMesa County Welfare Fraud Investigators uncovered enough evidence to allege the following:

Medical Assistance: $154,380.69
Investigation Costs: $ 1,253.76

The total recovery for the combination of the investigations is $155,634.45

Court case number 2018CR1522

Committing Public Assistance and/or Medical Assistance fraud is taken very seriously by the State and Federal government.  Medical Assistance benefits are available to those who are truly eligible and need the assistance.  When it is suspected that someone has fraudulently received Public Assistance or Medical Assistance benefits, the Department of Human Services Investigations team will initiate an investigation and if appropriate, submit the investigation to the District Attorney’s office for criminal prosecution.

Our Fraud and Recovery team takes investigating all governmental benefits fraud very seriously,” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director for the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “Ensuring benefits are available and remain with individuals and families who are truly eligible and in need is our utmost priority” added Garchar.


If you or someone you know suspects welfare fraud, please call the Mesa County Department of Human Services Welfare Fraud Hotline at (970) 256-2421.

Colorado Forum on the Senior Property Tax Exemption


Services Closed in Observance of Independence Day 2020

In observance of Independence Day, all Mesa County Department of Human Services offices will be closed on Friday, July 3. All offices wi...