Benefits and Work: Understanding
Your Options

Many people living with HIV consider returning to work, increasing their hours, or pursuing new career opportunities. A common concern is how employment may affect benefits such as disability income, healthcare coverage, or other support programs.

 

This section provides information to help you understand how work and benefits can interact so you can make informed decisions that support your goals, financial stability, and health.

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Before making any changes to your employment or income, gather information on your current benefits so you can complete the Benefits Checklist. If helpful, your case manager, partner, or friend could help you review your benefits.

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It can also be helpful to first identify your top questions and review several possible scenarios.

 

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do I want to work if it reduces or eliminates my benefits? What if I can keep most of them?

• What are the income eligibility requirements of each of my benefit programs, especially Social Security?

• If I change my income level, how will that affect my benefits?

• What happens if I get sick and can’t work for a short or long time?