[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/whats-considered-a-disability-when-it-comes-to-long-covid-and-do-you-qualify\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/whats-considered-a-disability-when-it-comes-to-long-covid-and-do-you-qualify\/","headline":"What\u2019s Considered a Disability When It Comes to Long COVID, and Do You Qualify?","name":"What\u2019s Considered a Disability When It Comes to Long COVID, and Do You Qualify?","description":"For most people catching COVID-19, the virus is a short-term ordeal \u2014 although a miserable one. But for others, symptoms can linger for weeks or months after the initial infection. This condition has come to be known as \u201clong COVID,\u201d causing severe effects on both the people suffering from it...","datePublished":"2022-10-19","dateModified":"2022-11-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/rbrlawfirm\/#Person","name":"Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/rbrlawfirm\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d0925a45a81b21fd1dd057ea2aa3cf0b7862bc7e8478f659a09444e627cf1a3f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d0925a45a81b21fd1dd057ea2aa3cf0b7862bc7e8478f659a09444e627cf1a3f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/rbrs-logo-96x96.png","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/rbrs-logo-96x96.png","width":96,"height":96}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/disability-and-long-covid.png","url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/disability-and-long-covid.png","height":600,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/whats-considered-a-disability-when-it-comes-to-long-covid-and-do-you-qualify\/","about":["Personal Injury","Social Security Claims"],"wordCount":1025,"articleBody":"For most people catching COVID-19, the virus is a short-term ordeal \u2014 although a miserable one. But for others, symptoms can linger for weeks or months after the initial infection. This condition has come to be known as \u201clong COVID,\u201d causing severe effects on both the people suffering from it and their families.While we do not yet know why some people come down with long COVID and others do not, help is available to those suffering from the long-term effects of the disease. The federal government has held that long COVID can be classified as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This may allow you to claim disability benefits for your illness.To learn more about long COVID, potential disability benefits, and how an Oklahoma disability lawyer can help you claim these benefits, contact the Social Security disability lawyers at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons today.Symptoms of a Long COVID DisabilitySome of the common symptoms of long COVID include the following:Chronic fatigue or tirednessDifficulty focusing or concentrating, known as \u201cbrain fog\u201dChronic shortness of breath or trouble breathingConsistent headachesFeelings of dizziness or vertigo when standingRapid heartbeat, also known as heart palpitationsChest painPersistent coughMuscle or joint painDepression or anxietyFeversLoss of sense of smell or tasteSome symptoms of long COVID are less common but extremely dangerous. For instance, some people with long COVID suffer damage to their organs or circulatory system. Many require the ongoing use of oxygen. If you believe you are experiencing long COVID symptoms, talk to a doctor right away.Factors that May Increase Your Chances of Developing Long COVIDScientists are still working to determine what factors increase the risk of developing long COVID after the initial illness. Based on information from the\u00a0National Institutes of Health, the\u00a0New York Times, the scientific journal\u00a0Nature, and The BMJ, some apparent risk factors for long COVID include:Age, particularly those older than 30Gender, as women seem to be more likely to develop long COVID than menHaving a prior disability before being infected with COVID-19Certain pre-existing medical conditions, such as mental health disorders, heart disease, respiratory conditions, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressureThe presence of autoantibodies that attack the body\u2019s own tissues instead of foreign matterHaving reactivated Epstein-Barr virus after a prior infectionThe amount of COVID-19 virus RNA in a patient\u2019s blood during the early infection periodConsequences of Suffering from Long COVIDThe\u00a0effects of long COVID\u00a0vary, but they can cause the following:Lung damage\u00a0\u2013 Damage to the lungs can impact a patient\u2019s respiratory functions for the rest of their life and limit their ability to work and care for themselves.Heart damage\u00a0\u2013 Long COVID can cause\u00a0heart inflammation\u00a0and other harmful effects. This damage can lead to serious medical conditions such as blood clots, abnormal heart rhythms, fluid build-up around the heart, and even heart failure.Kidney damage\u00a0\u2013 The kidneys are crucial to filtering waste and toxins out of the body. Damage to the kidneys disrupts these functions and may require dialysis treatments.Brain damage\u00a0\u2013 Long COVID can cause permanent cognitive and behavioral changes.Circulatory problems\u00a0\u2013 The circulatory system is responsible for pumping blood and oxygen through the body. Any damage to this system can have serious health implications.Mental health disorders\u00a0\u2013 Long COVID can cause certain patients to develop mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, either because of their severe symptoms or as a direct consequence of the infection itself.Long COVID Is Now Considered a Disability Under the Americans with Disabilities ActSocial Security disability benefits are meant to help people with terminal illnesses and disabilities that have lasted or are expected to last at least 12 months. While most COVID-19 cases do not meet this definition of disability, long COVID cases can. To be considered a disability, your long COVID or its symptoms must significantly limit one or more major life activities.The Biden Administration is moving to extend SSD coverage to those suffering from disabilities after COVID. However, you still need to meet the Social Security Administration\u2019s\u00a0definition of disability\u00a0to qualify and go through the standard disability application process. The process is complicated, and any error can impact your claim. You should seek help from an experienced Social Security attorney and apply for long COVID disability benefits as soon as possible.What Rights Are People Suffering from Long COVID Entitled To?According to the\u00a0Department of Health and Human Services, those deemed disabled due to long COVID have several rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Affordable Care Act. These rights include:The chance to apply for and receive Social Security disability benefits, provided you meet the Social Security Administration\u2019s definition of being disabledThe right to certain accommodations if you are a student, such as receiving additional test time if you have trouble concentratingThe right to certain accommodations at businesses, such as the right to sit down without losing your place in line if you are too tired, help at gas stations if you cannot pump your own gas due to muscle or joint pain, and a service animal to maintain your balance if you experience dizziness when standingDepending on your specific symptoms and the extent of your disability, you may be entitled to additional protections or accommodations at work or businesses. An attorney can explain your rights if you qualify as disabled due to long COVID.Contact an Oklahoma Social Security Disability Lawyer to File Your Long COVID Disability ClaimApplying for Social Security disability benefits for long COVID is a long, complicated process. People who do not work with an attorney may be denied receiving the benefits they need. Contact Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons today to learn how our Social Security disability lawyers can help you apply for long COVID disability benefits.Ryan Bisher Ryan & SimonsWe are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What\u2019s Considered a Disability When It Comes to Long COVID, and Do You Qualify?","item":"https:\/\/www.rbrlawfirm.com\/blog\/whats-considered-a-disability-when-it-comes-to-long-covid-and-do-you-qualify\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]