What you have to prove
Meet via: (1) multicentric Castleman disease, OR (2) primary CNS lymphoma, OR (3) primary effusion lymphoma, OR (4) progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, OR (5) pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma, OR (6) absolute CD4 count below 50 cells/mm³, OR (7) several other specific opportunistic infections.
Medical evidence SSA expects
HIV confirmatory testing, CD4 counts over time, viral load, treatment regimen, and records of any listed opportunistic infections.
Common misconceptions
Modern antiretroviral therapy keeps most patients well above the CD4 thresholds. HIV alone is rarely sufficient for SSDI today — it's the complications (opportunistic infections, cognitive decline) that qualify.
Didn't meet the listing? You can still qualify via a Medical-Vocational
Allowance — SSA's determination that your residual functional capacity, combined with
your age, education, and work history, leaves no jobs you can do. See our
appeals guide for what to do after an initial denial.