Scrapping U.S. Pandemic-Era Benefits Burdens Millions

With the official end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, many of those suffering from long COVID could lose supplemental income, food stamps and Medicaid just when they need it most, Larry Buhl reported for Capital & Main.

Photo Insert: Last month, the federal government rolled back nearly all benefits that were broadened in 2020 to accommodate the waves of newly sick and financially vulnerable.

Last month, the federal government rolled back nearly all benefits that were broadened in 2020 to accommodate the waves of newly sick and financially vulnerable.

People with long COVID, a catchall term for a wide range of often debilitating health problems potentially lasting long after an initial COVID infection, now face new barriers to accessing food or supplemental income.

One out of 10 people continue to suffer from long COVID after initial infection with the Omicron variant, including mild and asymptomatic cases.

Proving disability is challenging when there’s no single biomarker for long COVID and no reliable diagnostic tests for the disorder. With the years-long wait times for processing disability applications, it’s unlikely someone with long COVID will currently be covered.

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