Since 2020, the number of disabled persons in the workforce has increased by 900,000. Why the high numbers? The answer to that is probably due to long COVID and the popularity of remote work. While the good news is that many of those disabled from long COVID have been able to keep their jobs, the question is, for how long?
Long COVID and Remote Work
According to economist Richard Dietz, remote work and flexible scheduling can help workers with long COVID control their environment. “They can avoid physical exertion around commuting and take rest breaks as needed, helping them to manage their symptoms and remain productive.”
While this is encouraging, the downside is that as the economy cools and the job market tightens, some workers may be required to return to onsite job locations.
What is Long COVID?
Patients experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 for months after their initial diagnosis (even when they no longer test positive for the virus) are known as COVID Long-Haulers. Their symptoms may include prolonged respiratory distress, crippling joint and muscle pain, and chronic brain fog.
Other names for this condition include long COVID, post-acute COVID, post-COVID conditions, and chronic COVID. You can learn more about COVID Long-Haulers by reading our previous article COVID-19 Disability – Are you a Long Hauler?
COVID-19 and Long-Term Disability
If you are one of the estimated 4 million Americans suffering from long COVID and are unable to continue working, what are your options?
Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If your illness is expected to last for at least one year, you can apply for SSDI, but make sure to apply early – There’s a five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability benefits before you can begin receiving payments.
Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about disability insurance or use its online benefit-eligibility tool.
Talk to your internal HR department about getting time off under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and short- and long-term disability.
If you can document that you contracted long COVID from your job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation.
Document Everything – Have your doctor provide documentation of your visits, the progression of your symptoms, and the timeline of your diagnosis. This will help expedite your claims and avoid back-and-forth delays. To read more about how to get your medical team on board, you’ll want to get Tucker Disability Law’s FREE Guide to Getting Your Doctor to Fill out Your Disability Form.
Do the Math – If you’re collecting short-term disability, it may be enough to sustain you while you heal from your COVID symptoms. Short-term disability payments generally begin immediately after acceptance and can last anywhere from a few weeks to two years. These payments are, on average, around 60-75% of your regular earnings.
Long-term disability usually has a three-month waiting period, and you will receive about 60 percent of your actual earnings. If you’ve been at your job for a year or longer and can use unpaid leave, you may want to look into the FMLA.
Tucker Disability Law Can Help
While the policies around disability benefits for long COVID patients are still new, you can advocate for yourself with your company and government agencies to stay financially solvent while recovering.
If you’ve been denied long-term disability benefits, we can help. We have over 30+ years fighting the insurance companies and have a 98% win rate.
Use the blue contact section NOW to call us, live chat with us, or message us using our confidential contact form.
At Tucker Disability Law we don’t settle for less. Neither should you.
