Are Disability Benefits Available for HIV/AIDS?

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection that causes your immune system to shut down making you vulnerable to more infections that your body cannot fight off. Once the immune system is completely destroyed, it is considered to have progressed to AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Usually an initial HIV infection will show no signs or symptoms, but some general symptoms you may feel are:

• Fever
• Headache
• Rash
• Swollen lymph glands
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea

Getting Disability Benefits for HIV/AIDS

Ultimately these symptoms are not what really causes the most trouble but the opportunistic infections you will acquire when your immune system is unable to fight them off. HIV also puts you at increased risk of developing certain types of cancer like lymphoma. Getting disability benefits if you have HIV is possible, and there is a section under the SSI guide book that outlines how you qualify for disability benefits when you have HIV. Most of these criteria depend on the HIV patient having some sort of secondary infection that is resistant to treatment or development of cancer because of one’s HIV status. Even if you do not fit into an exact category you can also still be eligible if you are suffering from recurrent problems due to HIV that limit your daily activities, function and ability to complete basic tasks.

Denials of Disability Benefits for HIV or AIDS

It is a good idea to talk with the physician who is taking care of you when thinking about applying for social security benefits. Many times physician notes will be used to determine whether or not a patient is truly suffering from decline in function and deserves to get disability benefits. Most denials are due to insufficient medical documentation providing evidence for your disability. Talk with your physician to make sure they are making proper notations to adequately reflect your status. It can also be beneficial to get in contact with a lawyer who is experienced at helping applicants build their case to receive disability benefits. With so much difficulty getting these applications approved these days, it can help to ensure you get the benefits you need.