September 8, 2021

Allsup Expert Explains Social Security Disability Issues for COVID-19 Long Haulers in CNBC Special Report

Allsup Principal Advocate T.J. Geist explains the link between COVID-19 long-haul sufferers and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in this CNBC article.

As more and more people experience debilitating symptoms of long-haul COVID – including migraines, chronic fatigue and shortness of breath – and can no longer work, they question if they are eligible for SSDI benefits.  

In the story, T.J. Geist discusses the current environment as it relates to both the SSDI application and approval process for those long haulers. While some claimants have been approved for SSDI because of COVID-19-related symptoms, these are typically individuals facing long-lasting complications from being on ventilators.

The SSDI program is a federal insurance program funded by more than 156 million U.S. workers through their FICA taxes.

Social Security disability benefits are intended for people with severe mental and/or physical conditions that have lasted or are expected to last at least 12 months.

Many of those individuals have not yet met this duration requirement, Geist said. However, that does not mean they should not begin the application process if they are unable to work and earn income and they meet Social Security’s definition of a disability. The current processing time for initial claims is approximately 125 days, so starting an application when you have to stop work is beneficial, he added.

As Americans continue to contract the coronavirus variants and experience long-haul effects that prevent them from working, it’s even more critical to seek help from Allsup’s knowledgeable representatives when dealing with the complex SSDI process.

Allsup has helped more than 350,000 former workers to receive SSDI benefits following life-altering and work-disrupting medical conditions. For more information visit Allsup.com.