Vision Loss And Social Security Disability – Things You Need To Know About

Qualifying For Social Security Disability With Vision Loss If you or someone you love experiences vision loss, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers monthly financial aid for Americans with disabilities that prevent them from working for at least 12 months. If you can no longer work due to your eyesight, you may be eligible for Social Security benefits. There are a few ways someone with vision loss may be eligible.

Medically Qualifying For Benefits

The SSA uses its own medical guide, known colloquially as the “Blue Book,” when determining whether an applicant has a condition that warrants disability approval. There are three separate listings for vision loss under the Blue Book. The first listing —lost of central visual acuity—is very straightforward. If your vision is worse than 20/200 despite Glasses Brickell or other corrective measures, you’ll medically qualify for disability benefits.

The second listing is Section 2.03—contraction of the visual field in the better eye. You’ll meet this listing if you have medical evidence proving one of the following:

• You can’t see farther than 20 degrees around a fixated, point, OR

• You have an MD score of 22 decibels or greater

• You have a visual efficiency field score of 20% or less

The third listing is lost of visual efficiency. There are two ways to qualify under this Blue Book listing:

• You have a visual efficiency percentage of 20 or less despite best correction, OR

• You have a visual impairment value of 1.00 or greater despite best correction

It’s possible you’ll need to take additional visual evaluations to determine your test scores and see if you meet the SSA’s criteria for vision loss approval. Fortunately, the entire Blue Book is available online so you can review the listings with your optometrist to determine if you’re eligible for assistance.

Other Considerations

It’s important to keep in mind that the SSA asks that you meet one of the above listings “despite best correction,” meaning that if your vision improves dramatically when you wear glasses or Contacts Lens Miami, you will not be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The SSA also takes all its evaluations based on your best eye’s vision, meaning that people who are only blind in one eye will not be eligible for benefits.

Starting Your Application

The easiest way to apply is online on the SSA’s website. The SSA’s website was designed knowing that people with vision loss would need to apply so text readers should be able to help you complete the paperwork, but if you’re unable to do so you can always have a family member apply on your behalf. Additionally, you can apply in person at your closest Social Security office. Make an appointment to apply in person by calling the SSA toll free at 1-800-772-1213.

It’ll take three to five months to hear back from the SSA regarding your claim. Once approved, you should be eligible for Medicare within 24 months.

Sources Cited:

SSA’s Blue Book: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/ AdultListings.htm?src=gsn100

Blue Book Listing 2.03: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/ 2.00-SpecialSensesandSpeech-Adult.htm – 2_03

SSA’s Vision Loss Criteria: https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/social-securitydisabling-conditions/vision-loss

List of SSA Office Locations: https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/state-socialsecurity-disability

SSA’s Online Application: secure.ssa.gov