Does SSA Qualify HIV as a Disability?
People living with HIV can now benefit from advances in medical treatment, allowing them to live longer and healthier lives. However, for those whose symptoms are not well controlled with current medications or who have complications from the disease, they may still be eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is especially true for those over the age of 50, as the SSA has special rules that make it easier to qualify for such benefits.
How Do I Get Approved for Benefits with HIV?
To be eligible for benefits, applicants must provide evidence of diagnosis via lab tests such as HIV antibody tests, HIV nucleic acid detection test, HIV p24 antigen test or viral culture isolation test. Additionally, medical documentation of complications due to HIV/AIDS such as multicentric Castleman’s disease, primary central nervous system lymphoma, primary effusion lymphoma and pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma may be necessary for approval. A low CD4 count and multiple hospitalizations in one year due to HIV complications are also taken into consideration when evaluating disability applications. To learn more, click here.
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