Social Security Benefits for Covid Long Haulers
As of December 3, 2021, 48.9 million people have been recorded as testing positive for Covid-19 in the United States. Around a third of these cases have been deemed to be “long haul” or “long Covid” sufferers. Long haul Covid is traditionally defined as a Covid-19 case where the symptoms last for more than a month. Long Covid can affect anyone, regardless of age, prior health, or severity of Covid. The most common long-lasting symptoms of Covid-19 are fatigue and respiratory problems, but sufferers also report long-standing brain fog, GI symptoms, body pain, and loss of smell or taste. Long Covid can even result in organ damage to the kidneys, liver, heart, lung, or brain.
Given the possible severity of long Covid-19 symptoms, you may be unable to work if you are experiencing long haul Covid symptoms. If you are disabled due to long Covid, you may have questions about applying for social security disability benefits. Our Social Security Lawyers have the answers you need regarding long Covid and social security.
Can I qualify for social security benefits for long covid?
It depends. Social security benefits are reserved for individuals suffering from conditions expected to last more than 12 months. Since many long haulers have not yet reached the year mark, it can be difficult for doctors to predict whether symptoms will last more than the required threshold. The determination of disability is an individualized assessment, and the novelty of Covid-19 makes the judgment more difficult. Our team of Social Security Lawyers can help you navigate this tricky situation.
What should I do if I suspect my long covid will last longer than a year?
If you believe that you have long Covid, document your symptoms as much as possible. If you do not have the proper tests to prove your Covid status, get them immediately. Talk to your doctor as soon as you begin to believe that your Covid will be long-term. You will need to get records together to make your case to the social security administration. Since the debilitating effects of long haul Covid are unique to each individual and a relatively new issue, you will need documentation and physician support to show that you are indeed a long hauler. An experienced attorney can be extremely helpful in handling the application for social security benefits. Contact our Social Security Lawyers for a free case evaluation today.
Should I wait or apply now?
It is probably best to apply as soon as you believe your symptoms will persist. The approval process can be long and hard to maneuver. You do not need to have experienced Covid-related issues for more than a year when you begin to apply. You will, however, need a reasonable belief that your symptoms will continue for more than 12 months. If you are rendered unable to work by your long-haul Covid, but you are not sure whether you would qualify for social security benefits, contact our Social Security lawyers for a free assessment of your individual situation.
Citations
(OCR), O. for C. R. (2021, August 11). Guidance on "long covid" as a disability under the Ada, Section 504, and Section 1557. HHS.gov. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/civil-rights-covid19/guidance-long-covid-disability/index.html.
Laurence, B. K. (2021, August 11). Social Security Disability and SSI for post-COVID syndrome. www.disabilitysecrets.com. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/resources/social-security-disability-and-ssi-for-post-covid-syndrome.html.
LorieKonish. (2021, August 14). What covid-19 long haulers should know about claiming social security disability benefits. CNBC. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/14/what-covid-19-long-haulers-should-know-about-social-security-disability.html.
Null. (2021, March 30). Studies show long-haul COVID-19 afflicts 1 in 4 COVID-19 patients, regardless of severity. newsroom. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://health.ucdavis.edu/health-news/newsroom/studies-show-long-haul-covid-19-afflicts-1-in-4-covid-19-patients-regardless-of-severity/2021/03.
Ritchie, H., Mathieu, E., Rodés-Guirao, L., Appel, C., Giattino, C., Ortiz-Ospina, E., Hasell, J., Macdonald, B., Beltekian, D., &Roser, M. (2020, March 5). Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) – the data - statistics and Research. Our World in Data. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-data.
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