What We Do

Positive Resource Center remains the only place for people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS to get comprehensive benefits counseling and employment services in San Francisco.

The organization has led the service community's response to the changes in the epidemic since its inception, and is regarded as the model program in the United States for agencies hoping to offer similar services. PRC was the first agency to assist people living with HIV/AIDS with comprehensive counseling for obtaining essential financial and medical benefits combined with a full spectrum of vocational rehabilitation and employment services. Furthermore, PRC provides training and technical assistance throughout California on complex benefits issues.

Through PRC's continuum of services, clients receive no-cost access to:

  • Professional benefits analysis, advocacy, and counseling about accessing public and private financial and health care benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), long-term disability, health insurance, life insurance, and Medi-Cal.
  • Representation before administrative law judges for reconsideration of disability denials.
  • Employment and vocational rehabilitation planning, counseling and coordination, job development and job search assistance, support groups, and computer access and training for clients entering or re-entering the workplace.
  • Regular workshops/clinics designed to equip people with HIV/AIDS to consider and develop employment goals and plans as well as understand their legal rights and responsibilities concerning benefits, employment, housing, and credit.

And it is working!

The Benefits Counseling Program maintained a success rate of more than 90% in all Social Security and State Disability claims filed on behalf of clients in 2004.

The Employment Services Program achieved 435 job placements for clients, including 134 long-term placements in 2004.

Benefits Counseling and Employment Services Programs were accessed by over 1,000 clients per program during 2004.