HIV and Depression Can Help You Qualify for Social Security Disability

Stress is not good for our health, and I have been living in a state of stress. My re-evaluation for my disability is coming up. I am beyond nervous but trying to do my homework in preparation.

It has been 5 years since I have been placed on Social Security Disability. I have gone through various qualifications on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to see where I can be categorized.

I live with a weak immune system, chronic intractable pain, several mental health issues, and several long-term health conditions. Additionally, I have a full printer sheet of medications that I take for my various conditions.

The SSA Blue Book

The Social Security Administration does offer a Blue Book of Adult Listings. This online Blue Book provides information on what conditions qualify for adult disability. Looking through the various considerations, I am starting to think that the only thing that was considered when I was previously approved for disability was my HIV/AIDS situation.¹

How HIV Can Qualify for Disability

When I applied the first time, it was right after almost dying from PCP pneumonia. I was in the ICU for 2 weeks and a regular hospital room after that. We learned that my CD4 count was well below 50. When I tried to go back to work, I could not stay healthy for the life of me. I was constantly getting sick. Additionally, I was always exhausted.

While at the time we believed they looked at all of my health issues, when making their decision, I no longer believe that is the case. I believe that I quickly meet some of the HIC considerations listed out in the SSA Blue Book. Since my CD4 count was below 50, they did not have to look at anything else in order to approve my disability.

When you are preparing for your re-evaluation, remember to show the SSA how your health still limits you. If you are qualifying for disability with HIV and depression, you need to show all the ways your health affects your daily life.

How Depression Can Qualify for Disability

The SSA Blue Book also includes a section for mental health. This section is called Depressive, Bipolar, and Related Disorders.

To qualify under the rules for depressive disorder, you must show that you meet at least 5 out of 9 specific elements. These elements describe the symptoms of depression. While looking through the SSA Blue Book, I realized that I meet 8 out of these 9 elements. I have been battling major depressive disorder for years, since my diagnosis actually. Many people with major depression meet these easily. For example, symptoms may include:²

• Feeling very tired or having low energy.
• Losing interest in activities you once liked.
• Having a hard time focusing or concentrating.
• Feeling worthless or overly guilty.
• Having thoughts of suicide.

Your medical records from your psychiatrist or psychologist are very important here. They show how long you have been battling depression. They also document how these symptoms affect your ability to function. Tests that show slow responses to mental tasks, lack of focus, or anxiety also provide strong proof that your mental health keeps you from working.

Both my psychiatrist and psychologist have a 2-part questionnaire that I fill out prior to my appointments that ask questions regarding these qualifications. My therapy has been going on since 2017, and I do not handle changes well at all.

One of my specialist did neurological tests which displayed slow responses to visual and cognitive stimuli. My reaction time was also slow. Additionally, my doctor found signs of lack of focus and in attention, as well as evidence of insomnia and anxiety. Overall, through everything mentioned in this area of the SSA Blue Book, I meet the qualifications for depressive disorder.

My Disability Hearing

Most of my doctors have already sent copies of my records over to the hearing office. I also have 2 letters written by 2 different doctors offices. These letters explain what I am treated for, and the doctors do not believe I should return to work in each.

I have been working on printing my over 600 pages of notes from my mental health doctors. I also need to go through these notes and pull out (highlight and tag) any pieces that may be supporting evidence for the conditions listed above. Backup has been called, in the form of my best friend. So hopefully, we can get through this disability hearing successfully.

I do not feel like I could successfully return to work yet. Between my pain and exhaustion levels, along with my depression I believe it would be setting me up for failure.