HIV/AIDS Benefits in Colorado: 2025 Guide

To qualify for federal disability benefits with HIV/AIDS, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. For SSDI, you need a work history and enough Social Security credits. For SSI, you must have limited income and resources, regardless of work history. HIV/AIDS is listed as a qualifying condition by the Social Security Administration if it meets specific medical criteria, such as advanced symptoms or complications that severely limit your ability to work ^1.

• Must be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
• Must be a resident of Colorado.
• Must meet the SSA's definition of disability.
• Must meet income and resource limits for SSI.

In Colorado, people with HIV/AIDS may qualify for several state-specific programs. The Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO) program provides interim cash assistance to low-income adults with disabilities who are actively pursuing SSI benefits. To qualify, you must be a Colorado resident, aged 18-59, have a qualifying disability, and be actively pursuing SSI. The maximum AND-SO grant is $248 per month, and resource limits are $2,000 for singles and $3,000 for couples ^2.

Colorado also offers the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities, which allows working adults with disabilities to buy into Medicaid if their income is above regular Medicaid limits but below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level. You must be 16 or older, employed, and have a qualifying disability, which can be determined by the state or Social Security ^3.

• Check if you meet federal and state eligibility requirements.
• Gather medical records and proof of income.
• Apply for SSI/SSDI online, by phone, or in person.
• Apply for Health First Colorado or the Buy-In Program if needed.
• Contact local agencies for help with applications and appeals.

• Step 1: Review eligibility for SSI/SSDI and state programs. HIV/AIDS is a qualifying condition if it prevents substantial work and meets SSA criteria ^1.
• Step 2: Gather required documents, including medical records, proof of income, and identification.
• Step 3: Apply for SSI/SSDI online at the SSA website, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local Social Security office. Create an online account for easier tracking ^4.
• Step 4: If you need Medicaid, apply for Health First Colorado online or through your county human services office. If you are working and earn too much for regular Medicaid, apply for the Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities ^3.
• Step 5: If you need interim cash assistance, apply for the AND-SO program through your county human services office. You must be actively pursuing SSI benefits ^2.
• Step 6: If you want to save for disability-related expenses, consider opening an ABLE account if you have a qualifying disability that began before age 26 ^6.
• Step 7: Report any changes in income or employment to avoid overpayments and maintain eligibility ^7.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides monthly benefits and Medicare to people with disabilities who have a work history.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides monthly benefits to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
• Medicare: Available to SSDI recipients after a waiting period.
• Medicaid: Available to SSI recipients and others who meet income and disability criteria.

HIV/AIDS is a qualifying condition for SSDI and SSI if it meets SSA's medical criteria for disability [^1].

• Health First Colorado (Medicaid): Provides health coverage to low-income individuals with disabilities, including those with HIV/AIDS. Eligibility is based on income and disability status ^3.
• Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities: Allows working adults with disabilities to buy into Medicaid if their income is above regular Medicaid limits but below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level. Premiums are based on income ^3.
• Aid to the Needy Disabled-State Only (AND-SO): Provides interim cash assistance to low-income adults with disabilities who are actively pursuing SSI benefits. Maximum grant is $248 per month ^2.
• ABLE Accounts: Allows people with disabilities that began before age 26 to save money for disability-related expenses without losing benefits ^6.

Colorado ABLE accounts are available to people with disabilities that began before age 26. You must have a qualifying disability, demonstrated by SSI/SSDI entitlement or self-certification with a physician's diagnosis. ABLE accounts allow you to save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits [^6].

For SSI, individuals can have up to $2,000 in countable resources, and couples can have up to $3,000. For SSDI, there are no asset limits, but income must be below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, which is $1,620 per month in 2025 ($2,700 if blind) [^7]. For Health First Colorado Buy-In, income must be below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level after disregards [^3].

You must report changes in income, employment, or living situation to avoid overpayments and maintain eligibility for SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid. Failure to report changes can result in overpayments and loss of benefits. Contact your local agency or the SSA to report changes [^7].

• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday

  Website

  For SSI/SSDI applications and questions.
• Colorado Department of Human Services
  Phone: 1-800-697-6505

  Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

  Website

  For AND-SO, Medicaid, and other state programs.
• Health First Colorado (Medicaid)
  Phone: 1-800-221-3943

  Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

  Website

  For Medicaid and Buy-In Program questions.

• Can I get disability benefits for HIV/AIDS in Colorado?

  Yes, if your HIV/AIDS prevents you from working and meets Social Security's medical criteria, you may qualify for SSI or SSDI. You must also meet income and resource limits for SSI [^1].

• How do I apply for disability benefits in Colorado?

  You can apply for SSI/SSDI online, by phone, or in person. For Medicaid, apply through Health First Colorado or your county human services office. For interim cash assistance, apply for AND-SO through your county office [^4].

• What is the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program?

  It allows working adults with disabilities to buy into Medicaid if their income is above regular Medicaid limits but below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level. Premiums are based on income [^3].

• What is the AND-SO program?

  AND-SO provides interim cash assistance to low-income adults with disabilities who are actively pursuing SSI benefits. The maximum grant is $248 per month [^2].

• Can I work while receiving disability benefits?

  Yes, but your earnings must be below the SGA limit. Work incentives allow you to keep some benefits while working. Report any changes in income to avoid overpayments [^7].

• What is an ABLE account?

  An ABLE account allows people with disabilities that began before age 26 to save money for disability-related expenses without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits [^6].