The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to those who are blind and are unable to work. If you are blind and have worked in the past under the SSA’s rules you may qualify for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB). If you are blind and do not qualify for DIB benefits, you may still be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits if you meet the financial need requirements. For a single person to qualify for SSI your countable resources must be under $2000. For a married person, their countable resources must remain under $3000.
The SSA considers someone to be legally blind if your vision cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in your best eye or if your visual field is less than 20 degrees in your better eye. If you do not meet the SSA’s definition of legally blind you may still be found disabled if vision problems alone, or in combination with other health conditions, prevent you from maintaining gainful employment.
If you are legally blind and applying for SSI benefits you may be eligible to receive Presumptive Blindness payments while the SSA evaluates your claim. Presumptive Blindness payments can be paid for up to six months while the application is processed.
The SSA will also allow you to request any correspondence that is sent to be provided in different formats. For example, they can mail letters in larger fonts or in Braille. The SSA will also provide information on audio CDs. To request this service you can call the SSA at (800) 772-123 or go online to their website at www.ssa.gov/notices.
For more information on claim processing and services for the blind or visually impaired please refer to the SSA’s publication “If You Are Blind Or Have Low Vision – How We Can Help.”
