Resources
Where can people with HIV or AIDS get help?
More Resources:
You can use the Benefit Finder to check if you may be eligible for other government benefits. The Benefit Finder is a free and confidential questionnaire that can help you check your eligibility for over 1,100 benefits.
- The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program can help you get medical care and support services. These services are available if you are diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, you are low income, or have no health insurance. Medical services can help with health insurance, pharmacy, home health care, and mental health care. Support services can help with housing, childcare, home delivered meals, substance abuse and more.
- The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program can help with housing needs for people living with HIV or AIDS. If you have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS and are low income, you and your family may be eligible for HOPWA-funded assistance.
- If you have HIV and cannot work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits. Social Security pays benefits to people who can’t work because of a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Read their basic requirements to help determine if you are eligible. Click the Adult Disability Checklist to find out what information you need to complete the application.
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) can help employees and employers on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues, which includes resources for people living with HIV or AIDS. Click AskJAN.org or call 800-526-7234 (voice) or 877-781-9403 (TTY) to get one-on-one guidance.
- Call your state HIV/AIDS toll-free phone number to get connected with agencies that can help check what services you are eligible for and help you get them.
More Resources:
You can use the Benefit Finder to check if you may be eligible for other government benefits. The Benefit Finder is a free and confidential questionnaire that can help you check your eligibility for over 1,100 benefits.
Additionally, here are some important online resources for HIV/AIDS information:
- How I Value Life
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention HIV/AIDS Overview
- Center for Disease Control HIV Facebook
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV/AIDS Homepage
- Center for Disease Control HIV/AIDS Twitter
- Center for Disease Control Living with HIV
- Act Against AIDS
- Act Against AIDS Facebook
- Act Against AIDS Twitter
- Act Against AIDS Instagram
- Get Tested National HIV and STD Testing
- National Prevention Information Network
- HIV.gov
- U.N. AIDS Fact Sheet
- US Government HIV/AIDS Information
- U.N. Aids: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
- amfAR AIDS Research
- UCSF HIV InSite on Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
- AVAC Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention
- ADAP
- HIV Awareness Days
- Positively Safe DV + HIV Toolkit
- State PrEP Assistance Programs
- Center For HIV Law and Policy
Workplace Policy
Problem:
Federal laws prohibit discrimination against HIV/AIDS in the workplace.
However, many companies don’t have a clear written policy outlining employee rights and treatment within a company.
Facts:
Since HIV/AIDS first appeared more than thirty years ago, 50,000 people in the United States have been newly infected each year. The majority of those infected are between the ages of 17-49, and commonly in their working years. Advancements in medical research and antiretroviral drugs have delayed the onset of the disease. Those infected are living longer -- like so many other Americans in good health, they’re able to remain productive at work.
Social stigmatization is a problem in the workplace, despite many Federal laws that prohibit discrimination against those who are infected. Many stigmatic beliefs about how the disease is spread are outdated; we now know that anyone can become infected with HIV/AIDS, male or female, or those with any sexual preference. Individuals can’t become infected with HIV/AIDS through hugging, handshaking, or by sharing personal objects. It is important that an employer addresses individual concerns effectively.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes HIV/AIDS as a disability, and laws mandate that those infected with the disease should be treated in the same way, and with the same care, as individuals with cancer or heart disease.
Federal laws prohibit discrimination against HIV/AIDS in the workplace.
However, many companies don’t have a clear written policy outlining employee rights and treatment within a company.
Facts:
Since HIV/AIDS first appeared more than thirty years ago, 50,000 people in the United States have been newly infected each year. The majority of those infected are between the ages of 17-49, and commonly in their working years. Advancements in medical research and antiretroviral drugs have delayed the onset of the disease. Those infected are living longer -- like so many other Americans in good health, they’re able to remain productive at work.
Social stigmatization is a problem in the workplace, despite many Federal laws that prohibit discrimination against those who are infected. Many stigmatic beliefs about how the disease is spread are outdated; we now know that anyone can become infected with HIV/AIDS, male or female, or those with any sexual preference. Individuals can’t become infected with HIV/AIDS through hugging, handshaking, or by sharing personal objects. It is important that an employer addresses individual concerns effectively.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recognizes HIV/AIDS as a disability, and laws mandate that those infected with the disease should be treated in the same way, and with the same care, as individuals with cancer or heart disease.
