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Applicants with HIV or AIDS
An illness or disease can prevent someone from going through their daily routine. If a disease prevents you from working, it might be a disability and you may be able to get benefits. If you've been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, it can be difficult to maintain employment. Apply for disability benefits due to HIV or AIDS to help you and your family cope with this difficult situation.
Qualifying for Benefits and Living with HIV or AIDS
People who test positive for HIV or AIDS can get disability benefits if their condition prevents them from working. The Social Security Administration has the same requirements for SSD and SSI when the applicant is HIV positive or has AIDS.
HIV/AIDS is a difficult diagnosis to hear, but unfortunately you may not immediately get the benefits you need to pay for medical treatment or other expenses. Your medical treatment is essential if you have this autoimmune disease. Keep track of your doctors, records, treatments, and other supporting documents to ensure that you get disability benefits as soon as possible. You need to be able to demonstrate to the Social Security Administration or insurance company how your illness has negatively affected your life, and official documentation is the best way to do that. The SSA asks that your doctor complete a form describing how your HIV or AIDS has affected you. For adults, it is form SSA-4814. For children, it is form SSA-4815.
Supplemental Security Income requires that applicants have low income. Social Security disability requires that applicants have enough work history. Both programs require that the applicant has a disability. If you qualify for either program, apply as soon as you can.
Receiving Benefits for HIV/AIDS Disabilities
If your application for SSD or SSI benefits is approved, your benefits will start in the sixth month of your disability. This doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get a check six months from the date of your diagnosis, but instead from the sixth month that your condition has kept you from working.
The amount you receive depends on the program you qualify for. If you receive Supplemental Security Income, then the SSA will calculate your benefits by deducting your qualified monthly income from a certain amount and give you a check for the difference each month. If you get Social Security disability, then the amount of disability benefits depend on your work history and age.
Additional benefits, such as food stamps, medicare, and medicaid, can help you pay for essential goods and services if you are out of work. An experienced disability attorney can guide you through which programs qualify you for more benefits.
If you have a disability due to HIV/AIDS and you can't work or earn enough money, you have options. Apply for disability benefits. If you are denied, call the Coye Law Firm. Our disability centers wants to help you by setting you up with a free consultation and assigning your case to an experienced disability lawyer.
