How ACL’s Disability and Aging Networks 

Can Help People with Long COVID

What is Long COVID?

While most people with COVID-19 get better within

weeks, some continue to have symptoms—or develop

new ones—after their initial recovery. The technical

term for this is “Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2,”

or PASC, but it is more commonly called “long COVID.”

People with long COVID are often called “long-haulers.”

Long COVID can happen to anyone who has had 

COVID-19, even those who had only mild symptoms. It 

can persist for a long time, and severity can range from 

mild to incapacitating. If you have long COVID, you may 

need assistance to do things you did by yourself in the 

past. You also may need to make changes in your life or 

to your home to adapt to the changes in your abilities. 

Finding the resources and supports you need can be

overwhelming, but the Administration for Community

Living’s programs, and the disability and aging networks

that provide them, may be able to help. These networks

and programs offer a wide range of services and

supports to help people with disabilities—including

disabilities caused by long COVID—and older adults live

independently, go to school and work, and fully participate

in all of life’s activities.

We compiled this guide to help you connect to services and

supports in your community. (Please note that eligibility for

specific services and supports will be based on a combination 

of factors, including your individual needs for and availability

of program resources.)

Not sure where to start?

Disability Information and Assistance Line (DIAL)

» DIAL can provide information about services you may

be eligible for and connect you to them. DIAL also

can help you get vaccinated if long COVID is making

it difficult for you to find vaccine sites, make or keep

appointments, or find the information you need to

make decisions. Learn more at acl.gov/DIAL.

» To use DIAL, call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9

a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) or email DIAL@n4a.org.

» Older adults also can call the Eldercare Locator at

800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov to chat live or

browse resources.

Community-based organizations that 

provide a range of services

Centers for Independent Living (CILs)

» Serve people of all ages with all types of disabilities.

» CILs offer, at a minimum, the following services:

information and referral, independent living skills

training, peer counseling, individual and systems

advocacy, transition and diversion from nursing

homes and other institutional settings back into the

community, and transition of youth to postsecondary

life. Find a local CIL.

» For people with long COVID: Your local CIL may be 

able to coordinate services; arrange accessible

transportation; locate and/or provide mobility

equipment, and personal care attendant services;

assist with arranging reasonable accommodations;

and address accessibility barriers in housing, medical

care, employment, and other areas; and more.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)

» Serve older adults and people with all types of

disabilities.

» Provide objective information, advice, counseling and

assistance, and help people access public and private

programs.

» Contact information for many ADRCs can be found

through the Eldercare Locator.

» For people with long COVID: ADRCs can help you

navigate your state’s systems of services, including

determining eligibility and connecting you to the

organizations, critical resources, and services that

can help meet your needs.

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)

» Serve older adults (age 60+) and family caregivers.

Most also serve people with disabilities.

» The specific names of AAAs vary. To find your local

AAA, visit the Eldercare Locator or call 800-677-1116.

Last Updated: 7/2021

The Administration for Community Living is an operating division of 

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Visit ACL.gov.
How ACL’s Disability and Aging Networks Can Help People with Long COVID ACL.gov

» AAAs contract with 20,000+ local providers

nationwide to provide services and programs that

may include congregate and home-delivered meals,

information and assistance, evidence-based chronic

disease prevention programs, caregiver respite, case

management, transportation, homemaker support,

and personal care.

» For people with long COVID: AAAs may help identify

and provide personal care and homemaking services

you now need as a result of long COVID; facilitate

transportation to and from medical appointments; and

provide meals. AAAs can also identify and reach out

to underserved older adults, including people who

are homebound, live in rural areas, or have limited

English proficiency, to connect them with services

they may need if they have long COVID.

Specialized programs 

Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As)

» Serve individuals with all types of disabilities.

» P&As are in every state and territory. There is also

one P&A that serves the Navajo and Hopi Nations in

New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

» P&As are congressionally mandated agencies

that provide a range of legal advocacy services

to people with disabilities who have been denied

access to a service or an opportunity to take part in

an activity, such as employment or education. P&As

address allegations of neglect or abuse and conduct

monitoring and investigations of facilities. Find a local

P&A.

» For people with long COVID: Your local P&A may

help assess your status and needs, provide case

management, ensure access to services, and address

accessibility barriers.

State Assistive Technology (AT) Programs

» Serve individuals with disabilities of all ages and their

families.

» AT programs in every state and territory help make

AT devices/equipment and services available. Their

efforts range from “low tech” (e.g., built-up handle on

spoon to improve ability to grasp) to “high tech” (e.g.,

computers controlled with eye movement). Other

examples of supports are home automation solutions

and services to obtain and use devices. AT support

can also include assessment, customization, repair,

and training. Find a local AT program.

» For people with long COVID: Your state program may

be able to provide you with AT you now need. They can

also ensure the accessibility of websites and outreach

materials educating people on long COVID and the

resources available to assist those with long COVID;

and provide subject matter expertise and technical

assistance related to accessibility and AT.

State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs 

» State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs

advocate for people living in nursing homes, boardand-care homes, assisted living facilities, and similar

facilities to resolve individual problems and to bring

about changes that improve their care, quality of life,

and rights.

» Call 800-677-1116 or visit the program locator to find

your local ombudsman program.

» For people with long COVID living in LTC facilities:

Your ombudsman may serve as a resource to provide

information on long COVID and help you if any

issues arise in meeting new needs as a result of long

COVID.

For Tribal and Native American Elders

» Age for eligibility is determined by each tribe.

» There are 282 grantees serving over 400 tribes.

» Provide supportive services, nutrition services, and

caregiver support to native elders and their families.

Find services in your area.

» For tribal and Native American elders with

long COVID: These programs may provide

case management and assistance organizing

transportation. They may also help educate

individuals and communities on long COVID and the

resources available to assist people with long COVID

and caregivers.

» This guidance from the HHS Office for Civil Rights

(OCR) and the Department of Justice explains when

long COVID can be a disability under various civil

rights laws.

More resources

When is long COVID a disability?

Learn more about long COVID

» CDC’s web page on post-COVID conditions includes

information about long COVID.
How ACL’s Disability and Aging Networks Can Help People with Long COVID ACL.gov

This journey map is intended to help people with long COVID identify programs 

that may be able to address their needs. However, this map is not intended 

to address every possible scenario a person with long COVID may face or to 

establish that a person with long COVID is guaranteed particular services or 

supports. 

If you have long COVID...

Do you live in the community? 

(For example, in your own home 

or your family’s home?)

Do your symptoms make 

completing tasks of daily living 

more difficult?

Are you 

age 60 or 

older?

Contact your 

local AAA to 

see if they 

can provide 

assistance. 

You also 

may...

No

Are you 

a native 

elder?

Contact 

a Native 

American 

Grantee in 

your area to 

see if they 

can provide 

assistance. 

You also 

may...

Contact your local ADRC or 

CIL to see if they can provide 

assistance. DIAL can also help 

connect you to local resources.

You can also contact your state 

AT program near you to see if 

AT is available that meets your 

needs.

Do you live in a 

nursing home or 

similar facility and 

want to return home 

but need services or 

supports to help you 

live in the community 

with long COVID?

Contact your local 

CIL, P&A or long-term 

care ombudsman to 

see if they can assist 

you with transition 

support. Your local 

ADRC and AAA also 

may be able to help. 

DIAL can also help 

connect you to local 

resources.

Are your 

symptoms 

making it 

difficult for 

you to get a 

COVID-19 

vaccine?

Contact DIAL 

for assistance 

Are your symptoms interfering with your job 

or schoolwork?

Request accommodations from your 

employer or school.

If your employer or 

school refuses to 

provide you with 

accommodations...

Contact your local 

P&A or CIL to see if 

they can assist you.

If you receive 

accommodations, 

but you or your 

employer or school 

think AT would be 

helpful in meeting 

your needs...

Contact your state 

AT program near 

you to see if AT is 

available that meets 

your needs.

If you have long COVID and are still uncertain about which program best meets 

your needs, contact DIAL for assistance at 888-677-1199 or DIAL@n4a.org.