Long Covid Disability Benefits

Individuals with lasting effects from a previous COVID-19 infection may be eligible for disability benefits! Long COVID is a range of new or ongoing symptoms that last weeks or months after being infected with the COVID-19 virus. Long COVID can manifest as physical or mental impairment and affect one or more body systems. Some individuals with long COVID experience lung, heart, kidney, and neurological damage, lingering emotional illness, and other mental health conditions. 

Common symptoms of long COVID include:

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating, “brain fog.”
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Joint or muscle pain
• Depression or anxiety, fever, loss of taste or smell

Use the following steps to lead individuals with long COVID symptoms or concerns to find if they’re eligible for disability benefits: 

• Let inquiring individuals know to collect all doctor notes and any medical information showing documentation of any doctor visits, symptom progression, etc.
• They should also check with their employer to see if they have short-term disability benefits and if they are eligible for long Covid benefits
• Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or use its online benefit-eligibility tool. 
• Call the Provider2Provider warm-line at 1-833-9371777 to receive educational support and information about vaccines and acute and long COVID treatments!