CHAPTER 8
How can we support people with Long Covid?
Does Long Covid qualify as a disability?
L
ong Covid qualifies as a disability under Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. 182 But whether a Long Covid patient receives long-term disability coverage depends on their ability to provide medical evidence of their condition—a requirement some simply can’t meet. Even those who can should expect a waiting period that might stretch on for months, as the Social Security Administration works through the backlog of claims that built up when the agency had to cease its in-person operations. The difficulty of qualifying for disability benefits without evident documentation, such as a positive Covid-19 test result or laboratory scans, is borne by many sufferers of post-infectious illnesses. Lack of research, training, and specialization in rare chronic diseases entails that some patients might not receive an accurate diagnosis for years. Even if their symptoms are severe enough to seriously limit or obstruct their ability to work, obtaining disability coverage remains an uphill battle. Some
182
Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability Under the ADA, Section | HHS.gov
65
