Social Security Disability Law: News and Facts

The Social Security Administration has not given much guidance with regard to Long Covid or Long Hauler  cases. In fact, they have not released any new guidance in over a year. They still require a positive test for Covid to be considered for Long Covid. Many people never took tests at a pharamcy or a doctor or hospital or clinic because there was a lack of testing available. Many people just take a home test and do not report it anywhere. Does that mean Social Security should not look at Long Haulers for these people. I hope not, that would be a travesty. The Social Security Administration, as usual, has not done enough to give guidance with Long Haul Cases. It is time they give the people working for the Social Security Administration updated guidance based on the facts today.  Social Security has released an emergency message giving its employees some guidance on how to handle applications that allege "post-COVID conditions." This message is not a medical "listing...

Many people who are suffering from long haulers syndrome after their Covid-19 infection are being diagnosed with POTS.  Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a blood circulation disorder characterized by two factors: 1. A specific group of symptoms that frequently occur when standing upright 2. A heart rate increase from horizontal to standing (or as tested on a tilt table) of at least 30 beats per minute in adults, or at least 40 beats per minute in adolescents, measured during the first 10 minutes of standing POTS is diagnosed only when orthostatic hypotension is ruled out and when there is no acute dehydration or blood loss. Orthostatic hypotension is a form of low blood pressure: 20mm Hg drop in systolic or a 10mm Hg drop in diastolic blood pressure in the first three minutes of standing upright. POTS is a common condition affecting an estimated one to three million Americans. The symptoms of POTS include but are not limited to lightheadedness (occasionally with f...

You survived the initial COVID-19 infection and you’ve tested negative for the virus. Yet, you continue to have symptoms that significantly impact your life. Your doctor has identified you as a COVID-19 long-hauler, and you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Millions of  COVID-19 patients have become long-haulers. So far, researchers don’t know why some people suffer from long COVID-19 and other people make full recoveries. Everyone who contracts COVID-19 is at risk of becoming a long-hauler. It doesn’t matter how old you are, whether you had a mild corona virus infection or you were hospitalized with severe illness, or whether you have underlying conditions. Some of the ongoing symptoms experienced by COVID-19 long-haulers include: -Brain fog. Many COVID-19 long-haulers experience brain fog. Brain fog can be debilitating and make a person confused, forgetful, or unable to concentrate. -Coughing and shortness of breath. Some people with long COVID-19 continue ...

 Medical experts are beginning to identify some of the potential Covid-19 long-term health effects. Both people who had severe symptoms from Covid-19 and those who experienced mild coronavirus symptoms can be Covid-19 long haulers or suffer post-Covid-19 syndrome. Some of the most serious health complications may include: 1. Lung problems. Many people experience respiratory issues while they are actively sick. However, evidence suggests that the pneumonia that often results from Covid-19 can damage the lung’s tiny air sacs (alveoli), leading to scar tissue and long-term breathing issues. 2. Heart problems. Heart problems, including heart inflammation, may be evident even months after a person is recovered from the virus. Heart failure and other cardiovascular issues are possible. 3. Neurological problems. Covid-19 can cause strokes, seizures, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Additionally, Covid-19 may increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. 4...

  University of Michigan: Severe COVID cases likely to be followed by long-haul symptoms (clickondetroit.com) The Univerysity of Michigan is studying the after effects of having Covid-19. Long-Haulers Syndrome is going to have to be studied alot because so many people in the world and in the US are going to suffer from it. I have been following many blogs on this issue. Many people complain of multiple symptoms, but testing reveals normal results. Not everyone can be lying about their medical problems. It is going to be many years before this disease is understood. Covid-19 Long Haulers Clinics are beginning to start at many research hospitals to learn and treat the many problems people are now having after Covid-19. Many people have been unable to go back to work. Some people may never go back to work.  If you suffer from Covid-19 Long Haulers Syndrome and you do not think you will be able to work or you will be off of work for atleast 12 months than you should apply for Soci...

  At least  34 million Americans  (and probably many more) have already contracted COVID. An increasing number of studies find that  greater than one fourth  of patients have  developed   some  form of  long COVID . Symptoms have now continued for many months with no apparent end in sight, with many survivors fearing that they will simply have to adjust to a “new normal.” More and more sufferers have not been able to return to work, even months after their initial illness. While the number of patients with persistent illness remains undetermined this early in the pandemic, estimates suggest that millions of Americans may enter the ranks of the permanently disabled. This article list 200 possible symtptoms peopel are having after Covid-19.  Long Covid Has Over 200 Symptoms And Leaves 1 In 5 Unable To Work, Study Finds (forbes.com) These symptoms are going to cause many people to give up working and trying to apply for Social Security Disa...

Researchers are still investigating all of the possible cardiac conditions COVID-19 patients may suffer. However, as of March 2021, research indicates that COVID-19 may cause heart muscle damage that increases the risk of heart failure, blood clots or blood vessel problems that may increase the likelihood of heart attacks and atrial fibrillation. If your COVID-19 infection causes you to be unable to work for at least 12 months or is likely to result in your death, then you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. However, even with your recent diagnosis from the coronavirus infection that caused a worldwide pandemic, you must still submit a complete application to the Social Security Administration or risk having your application denied. COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, can damage heart muscle and affect heart function. There are several reasons for this. The cells in the heart have angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptors where the c...

  Post-COVID Conditions | CDC Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions.  Post-COVID conditions  are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience  four or more weeks  after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Even people who did not have COVID-19 symptoms in the days or weeks after they were infected can have post-COVID conditions. These conditions can have different types and combinations of health problems for different lengths of time. These post-COVID conditions may also be known as long COVID, long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long-term effects of COVID, or chronic COVID. CDC and experts around the world are working to learn more about short- and long-term health effects associated with COVID-19, who gets them, and why. Some people are experiencing a range of new or ongoing symptoms that can la...

Right now, the Social Security Administration is flagging and monitoring potential COVID-19 disabilities. However, if you are a COVID-19 long-hauler, you still need to prove that you have a total disability. Specifically, you will need to prove that you: Worked long enough to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The exact number of work credits that you need depends on your age. Have a medical condition that will prevent you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to be fatal. You can prove this in a variety of ways. For example, your COVID-19-related disability may meet the requirements of a listing in the Blue Book Listing of Impairments. Alternatively, your condition may be equal in severity to a Blue Book listing or be severe enough to prevent you from working. You are unable to work in any jobs you have performed in the past 15 years; and any other work that you may be able to perform based on your age category.  It can be challenging to get the disa...

Some researcher estimates that 10% of the poeple who were diagnosed with Covid-19 will end up with Long-Haulers Syndrome. With Covid-19 being a recent phenomenon, there is still a lot to learn. It will take doctors years to research how people need to be treated properly. I have been following a lot of message boards to keep up with Long-Haulers of Covid-19. It is very sad to read a lot of what people are posting. There are so many different symptoms people complain about. Doctors are sending people for many tests that come back normal. People complain that the doctors do not believe their complaints or are not helping relieve their pain. I think in the next few years medical problems from Covid-19 are going to cause people to quit their jobs or get fired.  The Social Security Administration should study the issue and update their policies. They should also give some guidance. To be eligible for Social Security Disability you must show that your disability will last atleast 12 mont...

Covid-19 is going to effect millions of people for a long time. Long-Haulers is not a myth. People are going to have physical pain, mental pain and doctors are going to have to research how to treat so many different scenarios.    Back to normal? Psychologists warn the pandemic could have lasting effects (nbcnews.com)

This is an interesting article on the response a person gets after being diagnosed with Covid-19 and than later receiving the vaccine. Some long-haulers have started to have relief after getting the vaccine.    Antibody Responses in Seropositive Persons after a Single Dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine | NEJM

Tips for applying for Social Security Disability Benefits with Covid-19 Long-Haulers:  Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be overwhelming. Here are 9 tipsfor people considering to apply for Disability : 1. Obtain objective evidence.  Explore tests that help to explain symptoms: such as CPET, tilt-table testing, and neuropsychological testing. When getting a CPET, seek out practitioners who understand ME/ CFS  and use  Workwell’s 2-day test-retest protocol  to avoid misinterpretation of results. COVID affects many body systems, long-haulers may need testing from other specialties, depending on how the disease impacted different organs, especially the head, heart and lungs. 2. Talk to a disability lawyer.  Understanding a Social Security Disability is no easy task. Start talking with a lawyer before you file a new case so that it is done correctly. There are many forms that need to be completed. How you answer matters.  3. Be honest abo...

This is an interesting article on the research The Mayo Clinic  has performed regarding Covid-19 Long-Haulers. Many patients continue to have breathing problems long after testing negative for Covid-19.  It is interesting to note that many people who did not have severe Covid-19 symptoms, including being hospitalized, suffer more long term problems from Covid-19 than people who suffered severe symptoms and were hospitalized. I would think the opposite would be true; it would make more sense that people who suffered severe complications from Covid-19 would have lingering medical problems. Is it because people who had severe Covid-19 were given medications and those medications were able to combat some of the Long-Haulers lasting symptoms? It is important for people who continue to have problems after no longer being  Covid-19 positive to participate in these studies to help the medical community learn. Due to Covid-19 being relatively new  research is still in its inf...

Many people think if I get Covid-19 or my child gets it, it will not be bad for us because I am healthy or my child is young. My child we recuperate quickly and live a normal life. Many families are debating whether to get their child vaccinated because children often to get get sick from Covid-19.  Children who have had Covid-19 without severe symptoms are developing long-haulers symptoms. Children are now missing school for long periods of time because of these medical problems. Some of the symptoms include: brain fog, depression, even hair loss. In this article I am attaching one doctor interviewed stated as much as 20% of the children develop some long-haulers symptoms after recovering from Covid-19. The added stress this puts on the whole family because a child is suffering is    ‘I Felt Like I Was Dying, for Real:’ Teen COVID Survivor Describes Long Haul Symptoms – NBC New York If you need helping applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at ...

The University of Michigan is opening a Covid-19 clinic to study long-haulers in children and adults. I think that this research is going to be very important in the future. We are still in the infancy of this disease and to study the long term effects will be very important.  It is interesting to note that I have read some studies that getting the vaccine has helped some symptoms of long-haulers who have had Covid-19.  Post COVID-19 Clinic| Michigan Medicine (uofmhealth.org ) University of Michigan opens clinics to study COVID long-haul effects in kids and adults (fox2detroit.com) If you need helping applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases.

This should be helpful. I am starting to see people with long-haulers start to apply for Social Security Disability because they are having to many medical problems to return to work. #health #medicine #disability #ssd https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-05-07/cdc-to-release-clinical-guidance-on-identifying-managing-long-covid If you need helping applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases.

I just read this article on the NPR news site. I found it very interesting. In order possibly be found disabled and received SSD/SSI benefits you need to have a disability that will last 12 months or more. Due to Covid-19 being so new, it is impossible to tell how long people will suffer from the problems associated with it. Will you have memory problems for the rest of your life? Will you have pain for the rest of your life? How long will your Chronic Fatigue last? Only research in the future will tell.   COVID-19 Long-Haulers Struggle To Get Condition Recognized As A Disability : Shots - Health News : NPR If you and your doctor think your mental and physical disabilities will last atleast 12 months and you can not work right now you are better off applying for Social Security Disability now and not waiting. You can always dismiss your case if you start to feel better.  If you need helping applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gma...