Social Security disability benefits worth $1,000 are available if you’re battling Covid

HOUSEHOLDS struggling with “long Covid” may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits worth thousands of dollars.

While millions of Americans are recovering from Covid, many are still suffering as the virus affects people differently.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides relief to people with disabilities who can no longer work or in the same capacity as before.

While Americans affected by the long Covid may be eligible, the journey to get the benefits paid may be a long one.

This month, three Democratic senators urged the Social Security Administration to address the issue and financially support those struggling.

The senators wrote in a letter to Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi: “We are writing to urge the Social Security Administration (SSA) to improve, formalize and communicate guidance on the review of disability claims for people living with post-COVID conditions, also known as ‘long COVID.’

The letter comes as many people with these symptoms struggle to receive disability benefits.

The problem many long-time Covid patients face is that to qualify for SSDI, their physical and mental ability to do their job is what is determined, not their Covid diagnosis.

The Social Security Administration has received about 23,000 disability claims since the start of the pandemic that mention Covid.

But, that’s less than 1% of all annual claims, reports the Washington Post.

In July 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services declared long Covid a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

SSDI is designed for disabilities that last 12 months or more.

According to the SSDI website, no benefit is payable in the event of partial disability or short-term disability.

This is causing major problems for those suffering from long COVID, as many of their claims are denied.

How to claim

It is important to file as soon as possible and to document your symptoms in great detail as you need to establish a record of your illness.

You must meet the requirements to claim Basic SSDI, including:

• You cannot work and engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to your state of health.
• You cannot do a job you used to do or adapt to another job because of your medical condition.
• Your condition has lasted or is expected to last at least one year or lead to death.

According to the Social Security Administration, about 8.2 million workers with disabilities receive benefits.

Their average monthly benefit was $1,277 in June 2021.

We detail how you can work and continue to receive SSDI benefits.

Plus, if you plan ahead, you could receive up to $70,000 in benefits.