72. How to Qualify for Disability Insurance with Long COVID

Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with Long COVID or ME/CFS is complex—and often discouraging. Many people are denied early and don’t understand why.

In this episode, Dr Khan speaks with disability attorney Barbara Comerford, who has spent 30+ years helping clients navigate disability claims for complex, hard-to-document conditions.

We break down:

•  How SSDI actually works (and who qualifies) 
•  Why most claims are denied—and what that really means 
•  The 5-step process Social Security uses to evaluate your case 
•  What evidence matters for conditions like Long COVID 
•  When to hire a lawyer—and how to strengthen your claim 

This is a practical guide to help you understand the system and make more informed decisions.

Chapter Markers (Streamlined)

00:00 Why SSDI matters for Long COVID
 06:45 Who qualifies + how SSDI actually works
 12:30 The 5-step disability evaluation process
 25:00 Why claims get denied (and how to appeal)
 40:30 Evidence, lawyers, and how to strengthen your case

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Social Security Administration (SSA)
   https://www.ssa.gov/
  
  Check your earnings record and quarters of coverage to confirm SSDI eligibility. 
• Tri-State Disability Law
  Barbara Comerford’s law firm (SSDI and long-term disability cases) 866-444-6939
• Workwell Foundation
  Guidance on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and instructions for the NASA Lean Test (dysautonomia assessment) 
• Bateman Horne Center
  Educational resources on ME/CFS, Long COVID, and disability
• Project ECHO
  Webinar series referenced in the episode (including sessions on disability and chronic illness) 

Key Tools & Concepts Referenced

• NASA Lean Test – low-cost way to document dysautonomia symptoms 
• CPET (Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing) – objective measure of exertional intolerance 
• Neuropsychological Testing – documents cognitive impairment (brain fog, processing speed) 
• Symptom Journaling – daily tracking of function (sitting, standing, cognitive stamina) to support claims