Working While Enrolled in
Public Benefits

People living with HIV have the right to consider options for working. A common concern is how employment may affect benefits such as disability income, healthcare coverage, or other support programs.

 

This section provides information for understanding how work and benefits can interact for informed decisions that support each individual's goals, financial stability, and health.

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Information on the benefits an individual currently receives should be collected and reviewed before changes are made to employment or income. It may be helpful to get assistance from a service provider, or someone in your personal network. 

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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?

 

Click the links below for more information.