Blind, Vision Impairment: Social Security Disability
If you are blind and unable to work you are subject to a unique set of rules established by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you are considered ‘legally blind’ you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. ‘Legally Blind’ is defined by the inability to correct your vision to better than 20/20 in your better eye, or if your field of vision is 20 degrees or less in your better eye.
You may still qualify for SSDI benefits even if you are not considered ‘legally blind’. If you are prevented from working because of your vision problems, or because of your vision combined with another medical condition, then call Freedom Disability today at (866) 761-5942 for a free evaluation with one of our disability Advocates.
To be considered for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, blind claimants must have paid into the Social Security system for enough years, as well as have a monthly income of less that $1570 or not be currently working. Each year you pay Social Security taxes, you are earning credits towards future Social Security benefits. If you are legally blind, you can earn these credits at any time during your working career. If you do not have enough credits to qualify for benefits at the time you become blind, you can earn credits after that point, which may also count towards your eligibility. Also, if you do not have enough credits based solely on your earnings, you may use the earnings of a spouse or parent to help you qualify. If you have any questions about credits or eligibility, our Disability Advocates at Freedom will be more than happy to answer them. Contact us today at (866) 761-5942 for more information about qualifying for SSDI benefits.
Disability Freeze
If you are legally blind, but still able to work, there is a special rule, known as the Disability Freeze that may help you to receive higher disability and retirement benefits in the future. If your earnings are lower due to your blindness those working years can be excluded when calculating your Social Security disability or retirement benefits in the future. Your benefits will be higher because they are based on your average lifetime earnings. If those years of lower pay are excluded, your income during that period will not count towards your average lifetime earnings.
Receiving Benefits While Working
In order to make it easier for disabled people to receive benefits while they are still employed, Social Security uses work incentives. Blind beneficiaries are allowed to make up to $1570 per month in 2008 and still receive benefits, compared to disabled beneficiaries who are not blind and only allowed to make $940. However, these limits change each year so contact Freedom Disability at (866) 761-5942 for more information.
Beneficiaries Older Than 55
Blind Beneficiaries who are older than 55 and still able to work are evaluated differently than disabled beneficiaries who are not blind. If your work requires a lower level of skill and ability than your work before age 55, and at any point your monthly income exceeds $1570, cash payments are only suspended, not terminated. Subsequently, if your income drops below that point, payments will resume.
If you have any questions or feel that you are eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits call Freedom Disability today at (866) 761-5942 for more information. Our Advocates are experienced with ‘legally blind’ claimants and can help determine if your condition is likely to result in a successful SSDI application. If you do qualify, we can provide you with the assistance that you need to get the benefits that you deserve. If you have previously been denied benefits, but feel your condition makes you eligible, contact us today at (866) 761-5942.
The foregoing information is based on published materials from the Social Security Administration (“Disability Evaluation Under Social Security”). It is meant to serve as an introduction to some of the factors used by the SSA in evaluating cases. It is no way comprehensive. While Freedom Disability can help you prepare an effective application for benefits, only the SSA can determine whether or not you qualify. For more information call Freedom today at (866) 761-5942.
Learn More About Your Disability Benefits:
How the Social Security Administration Will Calculate Your SSDI Cash Benefits
Presumptive Disability for Supplemental Security Income
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Eligibility
Freedom Disability Your SSDI Experts
Diabetes: Social Security Disability
Can I Get Both SSI and SSDI Benefits?
Alzheimers Disease: Social Security Disability
i was wondering what willl happen with my ssi when i turn 18. i am 17 at the momment i had cancer when i was 2 and i lost my right eye..
Kristen, When a child turns 18 the SSA follows the adult eligibility criteria and rules for determining SSI. You can find out more about these rules on the SSA Web site.
My son is 4 and has optic nerve hypoplasia, aphakia, among other things with his eyes. His best corrected acuity is 20/200 in his left eye. This is a condition he has had since birth , would he qualify for anything ?
Angie, If you have limited income resources you may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for your child if he meets the Social Security Administration's disability criteria. You may want to check with your local Social Security office about that possibility as well as local social services to discuss programs that may be of help.
when i was 4yrs old i had a tumor on the optical nerve and lost my left eye..i tried to apply for SSI and i was denied because i am able to work and drive..how can i go about getting accepted for SSI or SSDI
I am 55 years old and I was told about 2 years ago that I have glaucoma. The eye doctor that told me this said that my glaucoma is so advanced that they could not perform laser surgery to correct my eyesight. He said I was considered legally blind. Social Security denied me, but can I do be accepted?
My mother is 74 but legally blind. Does she qualify for any disability benefits?
Hi Chrisy, At 74, your mother should already be receiving Social Security benefits. Social Security Disability benefits are only available for those between 18-65 years of age. For those who are recieving Social Security Disability benefits, once they reach age 65, the Social Security Disability switches to your Social Security, or retirement benefits. Hope this helps.
I HAVE BEEN BLIND IN MY RIGHT EYE SINCE BIRTH I AM NOW 45 YEARS OLD AND MY LEFT EYE IS GETTING WORSE ITS HERD TO SEE DETAILS EVEN WITH GLASSES IM WORKING NOW BUT HAVE NO INSURANCE AND CANNOT AFFORD A DOCTOR WHAT CAN I DO TO GET HELP WITH MY VISION
I became legally blind since the age of 25 & I'm getting SSI benefits. It goes up & down due to my husband income. So I had to get a part time job which makes it hard on me b/c I also stay sick alot. Is there a different type of disability I can get or something that don't have to effect my husband income. Also I have a lot of med.'s that I am on & I don't want to lose my Medicaid.
Hi Elizabeth, Another type of benefit you may qualify for is Social Secuirty Disability. To qualify for SSDI (Social Security Disability Benefits) you would have needed to work at least 5 years full time out of the last 10 years. If you are currently working, you cannot work more than 20 hours a week or earn more than $1,000 a month to be eligible for SSDI benefits. If you meet these two conditions, I would encourage you to call us at 866-761-5942.This free consultation will also give you some guidance on what your next steps should be.
i was woundering if my dad which has just been told he is legally blind from the eye doctor and is 80 years old this year abd gets soicial secerity now ....if there are more benifits he can get or a raise on his ssi check from this.....because it is costing more to take care of him now....
The amount of Social Security benefits you receive is based off your past earned income which unfortunately means there is no way to increase this.