What Steps Has Social Security Taken To Ensure Prompt Processing And Payment Of Disability Benefits related to HIV claims?
All HIV infection claims are given prompt attention and priority handling. For many people applying for SSI with a medical diagnosis of symptomatic HIV infection, the law allows Social Security to presume they are disabled. This permits them to pay up to six months of benefits pending a final decision on the claim. You will qualify for this immediate payment if: a medical source confirms that the HIV infection is severe enough to meet SSA’s criteria; you meet the other SSI nonmedical eligibility requirements; and you are not doing “substantial” work. If you have symptomatic HIV infection but the local Social Security office cannot provide immediate payment, a disability evaluation specialist at the DDS may still make a “presumptive” disability decision at any point in the process where the evidence suggests a high likelihood that your claim will be approved. (If they later decide you are not disabled, you will not have to pay back the money you received.) Special arrangements have been
