How has Covid-19 affected Social Security Disability Claims?

Covid-19 has had a significant effect on Social Security Disability claims. Not only has it created new disabilities that keep people from returning to work, but it has also changed how disability claims are processed.

SSA is still developing its policies on how they evaluate Covid-based disabilities, and this will continue to change as research develops. Currently, to be found disabled as a result of Covid-19, a person must have “Long Covid” or “Post Covid” symptoms. “Post-Covid” conditions include a range of symptoms that develop during or after COVID-19, continue for 2 or more months, and are not explained by a different diagnosis.

Persistent Long Covid symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, oxygen dependence, headaches, dizziness, memory loss, trouble concentrating, anxiety, and depression.

Covid-19 has also affected the processing of disability claims. SSA has been working remotely since March of 2020. While this has slowed down some of the processes, it has allowed for the electronic submission of records and information, which has improved the processing of claims. SSA also moved to telephone hearings, which has greatly sped up the time to wait for a hearing and has eased the anxiety of hearings for many people.

Contact the Social Security Disability Attorneys at the Terry Law Firm

The Terry Law Firm was technologically equipped to handle these changes, and with electronic submissions, we have been able to assist our clients in their claims, allowing them to safely stay at home and it has continued to be an asset in speeding up the processing of claims.