Larson, Davis Urge SSA to Address Long COVID and Request Update

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (D-CT) and Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) wrote to Social Security Administration (SSA) Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi to request an update on the SSA’s efforts to understand the long-term health effects of COVID-19 (long COVID) and to ensure accurate, timely, and equitable evaluation of SSA disability claims involving long COVID. The letter is a follow-on to a previous letter Larson and Davis sent on long COVID in 2020.

“As our nation enters the pandemic’s third year, it is evident that a significant share of patients will experience long-term medical problems even after they recover from an initial COVID-19 infection. Long COVID can impact physical and mental functioning…” wrote Larson and Davis. “According to recent news reports, SSA has received about 23,000 disability applications that reference COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic – a number that will likely grow as COVID-19 persists….

“SSA should also understand and address the consequences of longstanding and persistent health inequities – including the impact such inequities may have on COVID-19 outcomes, and how health inequities may create systemic barriers in access to Social Security and SSI benefits…. Social Security and SSI are particularly important for people with pre-existing health conditions, people of color, and many older workers who are more likely to lack savings or private insurance to fall back on if they experience a severe, life-changing disability. We appreciate SSA’s work under your leadership to understand and address challenges related to proper evaluation of claims involving long COVID-19 in its disability programs.”

Click here to view the full letter.

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