Sec. 6. Program to support legal and social service assistance for individuals with Long COVID

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The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, shall award grants or contracts to eligible entities for purposes of establishing or expanding medical-legal partnerships, or increasing the availability of legal assistance or social supports necessary, to provide effective aid or support to individuals with Long COVID and related conditions, and their caregivers, who are seeking assistance in obtaining or maintaining access to, or in legal matters relating to, any of the following services, at minimal or no cost to the individuals:

The Social Security Disability Insurance program under section 223 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 423 ). The supplemental security income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq. ). Survivors benefits under title II of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 401 et seq. ). Housing matters. Access to medical care. Access to vocational rehabilitation services under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 720 et seq. ). Access to assistive technology under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 ( 29 U.S.C. 3001 et seq. ).

Early intervention, specialized instruction, and related services and accommodations for children provided under parts B and C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq. ; 20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq. ) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 794 ). The low-income home energy assistance program established under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 ( 42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq. ). Employment supports. Nutrition assistance.

Traumatic brain injury supports. Other support services for low-income individuals and people with disabilities (as defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12102 )). To be eligible to receive an award under this section, an entity shall— be— a State, or an agency implementing the State protection and advocacy system (as defined in section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 ( 42 U.S.C. 15002 )); a State agency or area agency on aging (as such terms are defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3002 )); a nonprofit entity or a publicly funded organization not acting in a governmental capacity, such as a law school; an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; an urban Indian organization; a territory; a health care provider with an existing multi-disciplinary clinic or other specialized program focused on serving individuals with Long COVID, underserved communities, or low-income patients, or with a demonstrated intent to create such a program; an entity providing legal services; or a consortium of entities described in clauses

(i)through (viii); agree to use the award for the purposes described in subsection (c); and partner with at least one community-based organization with a demonstrated history of serving people with disabilities, including helping people with disabilities access supportive services, or a demonstrated history of serving impacted communities, including limited-English proficient communities. In making awards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to entities described in paragraph

(1)that certify in writing that any person providing legal assistance through a program supported by the award— has demonstrated expertise in providing legal assistance to people with disabilities; or is partnered with a person or organization that has demonstrated expertise described in clause (i); and has completed, or will complete, training in connection with disability-related legal issues. An eligible entity receiving an award under this section may use such award to— establish or expand medical-legal partnerships or other cooperative efforts between community-based organizations, medical and social service providers, and legal assistance providers to provide legal assistance and help accessing or maintaining social services for individuals with Long COVID; establish or expand efforts and projects to provide legal assistance for individuals with Long COVID by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of people with disabilities; provide technical assistance to organizations or agencies for educating individuals with Long COVID, caregivers, and parents, including foster parents, caring for children with Long COVID about rights related to accommodations in employment, education, or other matters as determined by the Secretary; and employ staff or educate current staff on assisting individuals with Long COVID in obtaining health care, social services, or legal services. Eligible entities receiving an award under this section shall collect data and report information to the Secretary of Health and Human Services in a manner prescribed by such Secretary. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, which shall also be made publicly available, outlining the number of individuals who sought services offered by recipients of awards under this section and the services provided. Such report shall include a summary of activities conducted under the program under this section, and information broken down by award recipient. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028. Amounts made available under this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local funds expended to further the purpose of this section.

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