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is so important, and varies so much
from state to state, we have devoted
most of this Financial Guide to a
listing of the ADAP formularies and
qualifications for each state.
According to the National Alli-
ance of State and Territorial AIDS
Directors National ADAP Moni-
toring Project released in January of
this year, in 2012, the ADAP budget
exceeded $2 Billion for the first time
and as of June of last year, was serv-
ing almost 150,000 individuals.
ADAP is still financially strained
and at the mercy of both state and
federal budgets. Although waiting
lists decreased in most states last
year from an all-time high in 2011
some wait lists exist in certain states.
Look at the ADAP list that follows
for your state to check on the wait-
ing lists and qualifiers.
Disability and Medicaid
If you are unable to work because
of HIV or HIV-related problems,
you may be able to collect from your
private disability insurance or qualify
for Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) from Social Security.
Years ago, people with HIV were
automatically assumed to be "dis-
abled." Now, of course, they are not.
But since issues like fatigue, de-
pression and even diarrhea are very
difficult to disprove, you can possibly
be "disabled" by HIV if you need
to be. Don't jump at it if you have
other options! Disability becomes a
trap that many people have a hard
time getting out of!
When you go on disability, you may
get cash income from Social Secu-
rity, depending on how much other
income you receive and what you
own. But it's not much! To find out
how much you may receive, contact
your local Social Security office.
Qualifying for SSI usually also qual-
ifies you for food stamps and - more
importantly - Medicaid (which is
called Medi-Cal in California and
has different names in some other
states as well.) Medicaid is a lifeline
to HIV care for approximately 50%
of people living with HIV (and 90%
of HIV-positive children.) Medicaid
pays for inpatient and outpatient
treatment, home health care, pre-
scription drugs and medical supplies.
If you're relying on Medicaid or
plan to, ask your local ASO for
help from a case manager who has
experience dealing with your state's
Medicaid program. It's complicated
and getting more so! The Afford-
able Care Act (ACA) also affects
Medicaid. The ACA cleared the
way for all states to expand their
Medicaid programs although some
states aren't willing to do so, which
could shut out low-income individu-
als to access to health care cover-
age. The good news is that many
states are expanding their Medicaid
programs.