HIV/AIDS Benefits in Maine: 2025 Guide

• To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and have a disability that prevents you from working for at least 12 months. You must also meet the work credit requirement, which is usually 20 credits in the last 10 years.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. HIV/AIDS can qualify as a disability if it meets Social Security’s definition.
• Children with HIV/AIDS may qualify for SSI if their family meets income and resource limits. Adults with HIV/AIDS who became disabled before age 22 may qualify for benefits on a parent’s Social Security record.
• For both SSI and SSDI, you must meet Social Security’s definition of disability, which means your condition must prevent you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
• You can check your eligibility for SSDI and SSI using the Social Security Administration’s online tools or by contacting your local Social Security office.

Source: Social Security Administration, How Does Someone Become Eligible? | Disability Benefits, accessed 2025-11-05

• In Maine, people with HIV/AIDS may qualify for MaineCare (Medicaid), which covers medical care, medications, and support services. Eligibility is based on income, resources, and disability status.
• MaineCare has special programs for people with HIV/AIDS, including the Ryan White Program, which provides additional services like case management and transportation.
• Maine residents with HIV/AIDS may also qualify for the Maine ABLE account (ABLE ME), which lets people with disabilities save money without losing eligibility for MaineCare or SSI.
• To qualify for MaineCare, you must be a Maine resident, meet income and resource limits, and have a qualifying disability, such as HIV/AIDS.
• Maine also offers a Disability Retirement Program for public employees who become unable to work due to a disability, including HIV/AIDS. This program is separate from Social Security disability programs.
• Maine residents with HIV/AIDS can get free benefits counseling to understand how working affects their benefits.

Source: Maine Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare, accessed 2025-11-05, ,

• Check your eligibility for SSI/SSDI using the Social Security Administration’s online tools.
• Apply for MaineCare (Medicaid) online or by calling 211.
• Contact MaineHealth Vocational Services for free benefits counseling.
• Consider opening an ABLE ME account if you qualify.
• If you are a public employee, check with MainePERS about disability retirement.

• Step 1: Review your eligibility for SSI/SSDI. Use the Social Security Administration’s online eligibility tool or call 1-800-772-1213.
• Step 2: Gather documents, including proof of identity, income, resources, and medical records showing your HIV/AIDS diagnosis and how it affects your ability to work.
• Step 3: Apply for SSI/SSDI online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office.
• Step 4: Apply for MaineCare (Medicaid) online at MaineCare Application or by calling 211. You may need to provide proof of income, resources, and disability.
• Step 5: Contact MaineHealth Vocational Services for free benefits counseling. They can help you understand how working affects your benefits and connect you to work incentives.
• Step 6: If you qualify, open an ABLE ME account online at ABLE ME. This account lets you save money without losing eligibility for MaineCare or SSI.
• Step 7: If you are a public employee, contact MainePERS to learn about disability retirement options.
• Step 8: Report any changes in your income, resources, or health status to Social Security and MaineCare to avoid overpayments.

Source: Social Security Administration, How to Apply for Disability Benefits, accessed 2025-11-05, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare Application, accessed 2025-11-05, MaineHealth Vocational Services, Benefits Counseling Services, accessed 2025-11-05, ,

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Provides monthly payments to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes and are unable to work due to a disability, including HIV/AIDS.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides monthly payments to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older.
• Medicaid: A joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for people with low income and limited resources. Medicaid covers HIV/AIDS treatment, including medications and care.
• Medicare: A federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older and some people with disabilities. People with HIV/AIDS may qualify for Medicare after receiving SSDI for 24 months.
• Ryan White Program: Provides HIV/AIDS-related services, including case management, transportation, and support services, to people who are uninsured or underinsured.

Source: Social Security Administration, Disability Benefits, accessed 2025-11-05, Medicaid.gov, What Medicaid Covers, accessed 2025-11-05, CMS.gov, Medicare, accessed 2025-11-05, HRSA.gov, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, accessed 2025-11-05

• MaineCare (Medicaid): Maine’s Medicaid program covers medical care, medications, and support services for people with HIV/AIDS. Eligibility is based on income, resources, and disability status.
• ABLE ME: Maine’s ABLE account program lets people with disabilities save money without losing eligibility for MaineCare or SSI. Accounts can be used for qualified disability expenses, including HIV/AIDS-related costs.
• MainePERS Disability Retirement: For public employees who become unable to work due to a disability, including HIV/AIDS. This program provides a retirement benefit based on age, length of service, and medical diagnosis.
• MaineHealth Vocational Services: Offers free benefits counseling to help people with HIV/AIDS understand how working affects their benefits and connect them to work incentives.

• The Maine ABLE account (ABLE ME) lets people with disabilities, including HIV/AIDS, save money without losing eligibility for MaineCare or SSI.
• You can contribute up to $18,000 per year (2025 limit) to an ABLE account. The account can be used for qualified disability expenses, such as medical care, housing, education, and transportation.
• To open an ABLE ME account, you must have a qualifying disability and meet Social Security’s definition of disability.
• ABLE ME accounts are administered by Bangor Savings Bank. You can open an account online at ABLE ME.

Source: ABLE ME, About ABLE ME, accessed 2025-11-05

• For SSI, the federal income limit in 2025 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. Maine may have higher limits for MaineCare.
• For MaineCare, the income limit for adults with disabilities is 138% of the federal poverty level. In 2025, this is about $20,120 per year for an individual.
• For SSDI, there is no income limit, but you must not be doing substantial work. In 2025, substantial work is defined as earning more than $1,620 per month (or $2,700 if you are blind).
• For ABLE ME, there is no income limit, but you must have a qualifying disability and meet Social Security’s definition of disability.

Source: Social Security Administration, SSI Federal Payment Amounts, accessed 2025-11-05, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare Eligibility, accessed 2025-11-05

• If your income, resources, or health status changes, you must report it to Social Security and MaineCare to avoid overpayments.
• Overpayments can happen if you do not report changes or if you receive benefits you are not eligible for.
• If you receive an overpayment notice, contact Social Security or MaineCare to discuss repayment options.
• You can report changes online, by phone, or in person.

Source: Social Security Administration, Reporting Changes, accessed 2025-11-05, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Reporting Changes, accessed 2025-11-05

• Maine Department of Health and Human Services
  Phone: 211

  Website

  For MaineCare and general benefits questions.
• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Website

  For SSI/SSDI questions and applications.
• MaineHealth Vocational Services
  Phone: 207-662-2233

  Email: vocational.services@mainehealth.org

  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

  Website

  Free benefits counseling for Maine residents with disabilities.

• Can people with HIV/AIDS get SSI or SSDI in Maine?

  Yes, people with HIV/AIDS can qualify for SSI or SSDI if their condition meets Social Security’s definition of disability. SSI is for people with limited income and resources, while SSDI is for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.

• Does MaineCare cover HIV/AIDS treatment?

  Yes, MaineCare covers HIV/AIDS treatment, including medications, doctor visits, and support services. Eligibility is based on income, resources, and disability status.

• What is an ABLE ME account and who can use it?

  An ABLE ME account lets people with disabilities, including HIV/AIDS, save money without losing eligibility for MaineCare or SSI. You must have a qualifying disability and meet Social Security’s definition of disability to open an account.

• How do I apply for MaineCare if I have HIV/AIDS?

  You can apply for MaineCare online at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services website or by calling 211. You will need to provide proof of income, resources, and disability.

• Can I work while receiving SSI or SSDI for HIV/AIDS?

  Yes, you can work while receiving SSI or SSDI. There are work incentives that help you keep your benefits while you work. Contact MaineHealth Vocational Services for free benefits counseling.

• What is the income limit for SSI in Maine?

  The federal income limit for SSI in 2025 is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. Maine may have higher limits for MaineCare.