I am 23 years old and have been hiv poz for three years. Due to crazy ups and downs over the last three years, changes in my income status and living conditions have caused me to have on again and off again medical coverage. I am currently not taking meds and never have. My problem is that due to the current economic situation i have had an extreme cut in hours at work. I have applied for traditional government assistance, food stamps, unemployment, medicaid and have been turned down for all even though my income is less than 700 dollars a month with no other cash assets. I dont have enough money to pay bills and keep myself healthy because i sometimes dont have enough money to buy adequate amounts of food. It seems because of my age and the fact that i can work no one will give me assistance. I have tried getting a second job but i have had no luck. And supplemental security income (SSI) wont even help because i choose to work even though i have developed painful neuropathy in my legs. Are there any other young HIV positive people who have found aid who can give me some guidance?