Persistent fatigue. Shortness of breath. Migraine headaches.
These are a few of the symptoms that long-haul Covid-19 sufferers face.
For some, it can make it impossible to work, prompting them to ask: Am I eligible for Social Security disability benefits?
“We certainly have seen an increase of claims because of Covid-related issues, including long haulers,” said T.J. Geist, principal advocate at Allsup, a company which represents Social Security disability claimants.
Some claimants have been awarded Social Security disability benefits based on Covid-19 related symptoms, Geist said. But the majority of those have been people with lingering complications from being put on ventilators.
However, not many of those patients have been classified as Covid-19 long haulers.
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The reason: Social Security disability is designed for people who suffer mental or physical conditions that have lasted or are expected to last at least 12 months.
“Many of those who have long haul symptoms haven’t met that duration requirement quite yet,” Geist said.
In fact, President Joe Biden recently moved to make long haul Covid-19 symptoms recognized as a disability under federal law.
Though there is a lag in disability awards for Covid-19 long haulers, Geist said he expects that to pick up as time goes on.
Still, whether disability requests are successful depends on how well claimants follow the rules.
The first thing to realize about applying for Social Security disability benefits is that it is often a lengthy process, Geist said.
Once an initial application is filed with the Social Security Administration, it can take three months to five months to get a decision. If that initial application is denied, it can take four months to six months for the application to be reconsidered on a first appeal, Geist said.
From there, if the application has to be reviewed at a hearing, it can take up to 12 months just to get scheduled before a judge, Geist said.
“Apply as early as possible, because it is a long process,” Geist said.
A 2020 Government Accountability Office report found that about 1.3% of applicants filed for bankruptcy while waiting on their appeals, and 1.2% died before receiving a final decision.
“Many — particularly those without legal representation — end up wrongfully denied on multiple occasions before finally being approved with a lawyer’s help,” said Rebecca Vallas, senior fellow that the Century Foundation. “Untold numbers spend what savings they have to try to stay afloat while waiting for an appeal to be heard — and countless more lose their homes in the process.”
There are about 8.2 million disabled workers collecting benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. Their average monthly benefit is $1,277.
