The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides special rules that enable a person to access benefits if they or a loved one is blind or has poor vision. Keep reading to learn your legal options in this post when applying for disability benefits due to blindness or vision impairment.
If you need help applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 for a free legal consultation.
Medical Requirements for Blind Social Security Benefits
If you are blind, you may qualify for SSI payments or Social Security Disability benefits (depending on the number of work credits you have accrued). The SSA will declare you legally blind if your better eye’s vision cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 or if it consistently has a visual field of 20 degrees or less (for at least 12 months for SSD alone). The time restriction does not apply to SSI benefits.
You can be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits even if you are not blind. If your vision does not meet the SSA’s definition of blindness, you may still be eligible for disability benefits if it prevents you from working, either by itself or in conjunction with other medical issues.
Work Requirements for Social Security Disability Benefits for Blindness
In addition to meeting the medical conditions, in order to be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, you must have had a job that required you to pay Social Security taxes for a sufficient period of time. You accrue credits toward future Social Security benefits when you work and pay into the system.
In addition, you can be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits based on the earnings of one of your parents or your spouse if you don’t have enough credits to qualify for benefits based on your own wages. For your blindness, you do not need to have a work history or “work credits” to be eligible for SSI assistance. However, your assets and income must be within certain budgetary restrictions.
Social Security for Blindness Lawyers
In order to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability benefits, there are numerous intricate rules and calculations that must be followed. In addition, there is a ton of “paperwork” that needs to be completed, including gathering and submitting a ton of medical records.
Anyone with a disability may find the SSD or SSI application procedure onerous, but those with vision impairments may find it especially tough. Because of this, hiring a knowledgeable Social Security attorney to help you file for benefits is frequently a lot simpler, quicker, and safer.
Call our skilled Social Security attorneys right away if you’re having vision loss, eye issues, or partial or total blindness that may qualify you for Social Security Disability. If you’ve already applied and received a denial for SSD due to visual loss, contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 now.