When the HIV/AIDS epidemic began it was generally believed that the life span of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) would be considerably shortened. Many believed there was no point in planning for a financially secure future when the future itself was uncertain. Further down the track, however, with the advent of new antiviral treatments, many PLWHA are living significantly longer than previously expected. Securing a financial future has therefore taken on new significance.

For many PLWHA who live on a pension or have a limited income, securing a financial future is often not thought to be possible. It is a financial struggle to survive from day to day without the additional burden of thinking about the future.

To address this issue, the HIV Services Unit of the VAC/GMHC, based at the Positive Living Centre, was funded by the AIDS Trust to produce a resource that would:

• Assist people living on a pension/benefit or low income to manage and maximise their income, and access resources to help them achieve this; and,
  

• Illustrate how PLWHA can invest in areas commonly believed to be available only to those with lots of money.

The resource is titled 'The Positive Way to Stay Afloat Financially'. It is included here to ensure that the information is distributed to as wide an audience as possible. People on higher incomes will also find much in this book to assist them to plan for a financially secure future.

Please click on the link below to view the 'The Positive Way to Stay Afloat Financially' as a PDF.

The Positive Way to Stay Afloat Financially (PDF 4.85MB)