U.S. senators are advocating for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to increase access to disability benefits for individuals suffering from long COVID symptoms. Senators including Tim Kaine, Ed Markey, and Tammy Duckworth have signed a letter urging the SSA to streamline the application process, provide clear documentation for long COVID cases, and expand the list of impairments considered in benefit applications. Long COVID is a chronic condition following a COVID-19 infection and often includes symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath. It’s a widespread issue with about three in 10 American adults having had it at some point, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. In 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services classified long COVID as a disability under the ADA. One significant demand from senators is to restore the treating physician rule, which was repealed in 2017. This rule allowed the agency to prioritize medical evidence from a patient’s longtime physician over a doctor who only examined them once. This push for improvements comes as the labor force, especially older adults and people from low-income jobs, face a risk of contracting long COVID. With the condition’s potentially debilitating symptoms, advocates argue for increased funding and better management of the SSA’s disability benefits process.

If you want to apply for disability benefits for long COVID or need help with an existing application, you may need to contact the SSA. However, getting through to a live representative can sometimes be challenging. A helpful resource in this situation can be eddcaller.com. This website provides valuable tips on how to get ahold of SSA customer service, including the fastest way to get through to the SSA and how to reach an agent at the SSA. Voters must remember that access to disability resources, including quick and reliable customer service, is crucial for ensuring financial security and essential care for people with long-term health conditions like long COVID.