The AIDS Disabled

Who Are The HIV/AIDS Disabled?

Disability designations for all persons living with HIV/AIDS are made by the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) after an exhaustive assessment of the individual health and medical status. Only very ill or seriously disabled person receive an SSI/SSD disability designation.

Of the total AHI caseload of 335 clients, there were 184 clients with an SSI/SSD disability designation from the Social Security Administration, as of June 30, 2008.

Benefits for an SSI client are determined by the years they worked and paid into Social Security. The highest benefit payment would be approximately $1,800 per month. However, most service and hospitality industry employees such as waiters ands waitresses do not pay into the system and their monthly benefit is capped at $637 per month.

Many clients on SSI choose to work to supplement their disability benefit and they are able to earn up to $12,900 per year. However, many working clients find that illness caused by periodic changes in medications often cause them to lose their jobs because of absenteeism. For those SSI clients who are lucky enough to maintain their health and their job there is a strict earning cap that if exceeded would cause loss of their monthly benefits, including coverage of medical and pharmaceutical expenses.

SSD client benefits are determined by the seriousness of the disability. Without a doubt, the SSD clients are the poorest and sickest clients who are unable to work because of their weakened physical condition and poor health. In most cases, SSD clients are making no more than $637 per month.

The average SSD client can look forward to having $15 in his/her pocket at the end of the month–if they have no pharmaceutical co-pays or basic home supply needs.