Navigating public benefits is often challenging for Persons Living with HIV (PWLH) who are looking to maintain employment or return to work and need assistance with understanding how their earnings may affect these benefits. The Volunteer Lawyers Project in collaboration with Neighborhood Legal Services can help clients understand and navigate these issues through our Benefits Counseling program.
The Benefits Counseling program will help educate clients and potentially reduce benefit loss and overpayment issues. Benefits Advisors can provide:
- Detailed information and advice regarding SSI, SSDI, Medicaid and Medicare
- Information about how work affects SSI, SSDI, Medicaid and Medicare and other public benefits
- Referrals to other supports available to persons with disabilities
- Written confirmation of information provided
Benefits Advisors can help Beneficiaries:
- Obtain and/or retain Medicaid and Medicare health insurance while working
- Use work incentives, in some cases, to keep SSI or SSDI benefits as work activity increases
- Obtain funding for vocationally-related items such as tuition, a vehicle, or a computer
- Determine eligibility for other government benefits, such as special food stamp eligibility
- Avoid and/or reduce rental subsidy decreases while first working
- Avoid overpayment(s) of disability benefits
To receive Benefits Counseling services, you must meet the following requirements:
- be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS;
- be a NYS resident
- have income below 500% of the Federal Poverty level
- be currently employed or considering employment and need assistance with understanding how these earnings may affect your benefits.
If you would like to learn more about our Benefits Counseling program, please contact us:
(716) 847 – 0650 x 265 or kwelch@nls.org
