COVID Disability

There is still so much that remains unknown about Covid-19 and its’ long-term effects on the human body.  While most people who contracted Covid-19 made full recoveries, several survivors still show symptoms many months later.  These individuals are often referred to as “Long-Haulers.”  The Centers for Disease Control has described Long Haulers as displaying a variety of symptoms including:

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Difficulty thinking, memory or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
• Headache
• Loss of smell or taste
• Dizziness on standing
• Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Cough
• Joint or muscle pain
• Depression or anxiety
• Fever
• Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental activities

Some of these symptoms can often prevent survivors from returning to work after overcoming Covid-19.  While the Social Security Administration has not yet taken a position on Post Covid-19 symptoms, it is clear that many individuals will not be able to return to the workforce.

If you are a Long Hauler and find that you are unable to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.  The representatives at Binder and Binder® will assess your claim like any other.  We will first obtain proof of a medically determinable impairment and whether you have the opinion of your doctor supporting your inability to return to work.  Your doctor will have to support the fact that your symptoms will last and you will be unable to return to work for a minimum of 12 months.  Using your medical records and doctor’s opinions, the experts at Binder and Binder® will then begin to paint a picture of how your symptoms have limited your ability to work.  There is no standard for winning a claim with a Covid-19 related disability but there are still ways to win your case by showing that the severity of your condition is equal to the threshold requirements of other conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, long-term respiratory problems like COPD or by comparing cognitive dysfunction to a traumatic brain injury, for example. Recovery from Covid-19 may also inhibit an individual’s ability to work.  For example, if the person has been on a ventilator for an extended period, a significant period of rehabilitation may be required to regain the ability to do basic self-care.

In the next several months, it is likely that we will learn much more about Covid-19 and its’ long-term impact. At this point, it is clear that Covid-19 has effected some of the population more so than others and some will need help in the future.  The disability process for Covid-19 is still uncharted but with over 45 years of experience winning Social Security Disability cases, there is no one better than Binder and Binder® to assist you make the future a little less uncertain.