Can I get disability benefits for HIV?

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Yes, you can get disability benefits for HIV if the condition or its side effects prevent you from working.

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not grant benefits based on an HIV diagnosis alone. You must show that your illness stops you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months.

The SSA uses specific medical criteria to evaluate HIV. You may qualify if you have:

• A CD4 cell count at or below 50 cells/mm³.

• Severe complications that require frequent hospitalizations.

• HIV wasting syndrome (severe weight loss).

• Recurrent opportunistic infections or cancers (such as Kaposi's sarcoma).

• Cognitive or neurological complications.

• Severe side effects from medications that limit your daily activities and ability to work

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