BLINDNESS AND EARNING WORK CREDITS FOR SSD BENEFITS
SSDI and SSI benefits for the blind are available under SSA’s laws. In order to qualify for Social Security benefits due to blindness, you will need to provide evidence that shows you meet the visual listings. The visual listings for blindness include people who have been blind since birth. Learn more here about SSD and SSI benefits for blindness.
In addition, the SSA listing applies to those who have severe vision loss due to conditions like glaucoma, retinopathy, and traumatic injury. In fact, the blind can qualify for SSD benefits and still continue to work while receiving monthly benefits. But, you must meet all of SSA’s requirements. On this website we have a list of Utah resources for the blind and those with visual loss.
If you are blind or have a loss of vision that is going to impact your ability to work for over one year, then you should file an application for benefits. Additionally, you should hire a law firm with years of legal experience to deal with the SSA. Not every attorney understands SSA’s complex administrative process. Therefore, hire us. Because we have been in business for over 30 years and have won over 20,000 SSD cases for our clients. We are experts in Social Security law.
SSD BENEFITS FOR THE BLIND FALL UNDER LISTING 2.00
Listing 2.00 contains a variety of ways to meet the criteria for blindness. If you meet the criteria, then the SSA will pay you monthly benefits for your visual loss. However, in order to meet the listing, you must have specific testing. Most of the testing must be done by a ophthalmologist. For example, you may need to test your visual acuity or your visual field. These tests are crucial to obtaining benefits.
If you do not have a doctor and you need your sight tested, then the SSA will send you out for the proper tests. The SSA will send you to a vision expert. These tests will be done at no cost to you. Learn more about a free SSA doctor exam. In order to obtain testing, you must first apply for benefits. Go to the Social Security website to file an application for benefits.
Visual loss can occur along with other medical conditions. If you don’t have a doctor, then you need to get one. You may think you cannot afford a doctor, but there are free clinics in your area. It is your responsibility to find a doctor and obtain medical records to win your case.
On our website, we have a list of free and low cost doctors and clinics. Choose your state and call the free clinic for help:
- CALIFORNIA FREE AND LOW COST CLINICS
- COLORADO FREE AND LOW COST CLINICS
- IDAHO FREE AND LOW COST CLINICS
- NEVADA FREE AND LOW COST HEALTH CLINICS
- UTAH FREE AND LOW COST HEALTH CLINICS
FACTORS THE SSA CONSIDERS FOR DEFINING BLINDNESS
The SSA considers the following factors in reviewing a SSD and SSI claim for blindness.
LOSS OF CENTRAL VISUAL ACUITY (LISTING 2.02)
Listing 2.02 covers loss in your central field of vision and requires you see no better than 20/200 in your better eye.
A claimant can also be found disabled under the Social Security Act if their vision meets the criteria for “statutory blindness.” “Statutory blindness” is defined as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of corrective lenses. An eye which is accompanied by a limitation in the visual fields, such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less.
If the listing is met, then statutory blindness is established. However, if a visual impairment does not meet the definition of “statutory blindness,” then the SSA will consider whether the severity of the impairment is such that you may be “disabled.” For example, does the visual condition prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity. Learn more about substantial gainful activity.
Under Title 16 or SSI only, there is no duration requirement for “blindness.” If you qualify financially for SSI and you are blind, then you can be paid benefits regardless of the anticipated duration of the blindness. Therefore, the 12 month duration requirement does not apply once “statutory blindness” is met.
CONTRACTION OF THE VISUAL FIELD IN THE BETTER EYE (LISTING 2.03)
You qualify under this listing if you have a shrinking field of vision. Your doctor must measure your vision with specific tests and must record what you’re able to see when you’re focusing on a fixed point. This listing requires testing of your visual field. Your visual field is the distance in all directions of your vision when you focus on a fixed point. That diameter must be no greater than 20 to 30 degrees. In other words, your visual field must be very narrow.
LOSS OF VISUAL EFFICIENCY OR VISUAL IMPAIRMENT (LISTING 2.04)
This listing covers issues that cause blurry or unfocused vision or absence of vision (total blindness). To qualify, you must have vision in your better eye that is no greater than 20/200 when wearing corrective lenses. It is easy to prove that you meet this listing. You must simply undergo a vision test.
BLINDNESS AND EARNING WORK CREDITS FOR DISABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE
The visual listing can be very difficult to understand. In fact, you may call the SSA and tell them you are blind and can’t work. However, they may say you cannot apply benefits because you do not have sufficient work credits. Therefore, they will claim you don’t have insurance and can’t get SSD payments.
In other words, the SSA may say you are not “insured.” But, what if they are wrong? It is possible. The SSA calculates coverage differently for those who have certain vision conditions. Make sure you apply for SSDI and SSI benefits, even if the SSA tells you not to do so.
If you are blind, you should file a claim for SSD benefits. You may qualify for benefits even if you are blind and working. You should go to Social Security’s website and file a claim anyway.
Many SSA workers do not understand that the rules are different for those who are blind. If the person you talk to on the phone is wrong, then the only way to protect your rights is to file a claim for benefits. You cannot appeal an SSA decision unless you file an application. All rights to SSD and SSI benefits depend on you filing an application.
ASK THE SSA ABOUT A DISABILITY FREEZE – WHICH IS ANOTHER SSD BENEFIT FOR THE BLIND
The SSA has a special rule that may help you get higher retirement or SSD benefits. You can use this rule if you are blind, but aren’t getting SSD benefits now because you are still working. If your earnings are lower because you are blind, then you may qualify for a “freeze.”
The SSA can exclude low earning years when they calculate your Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Social Security benefits are based on your average lifetime earnings. Therefore, your benefit will be higher if the SSA doesn’t count the years you were not working. The SSA calls this rule a “disability freeze.” You need to contact the SSA if you want to file for this “freeze.”
ALWAYS APPEAL A DENIAL FROM THE SSA
If you cannot work due to a visual issue or blindness, then apply for SSD benefits. After that, get an eye examination in order to prove you qualify for SSD benefits. When you submit medical records to the SSA, include all of your vision tests. It is possible for you to have vision testing that proves disability in the past.
At our law firm, we have experience handling cases for those with visual loss. For instance, in one case, the SSA refused to let an individual apply for benefits, even though he stated he was blind. The SSA claimed he was not insured for benefits. So, the SSA did not allow him to file his application for SSD benefits.
However, due to the SSA’s special rules for the blind, he was in fact insured. Because he had specific visual testing done prior to his attempt to file his application for benefits, he was able to show he met SSA’s criteria for benefits. Therefore, he did qualify for benefits when he first tried to put in his application. So, he was able to win all of his past due SSD benefits. The lesson to take from this example is that medical records, even old records, can win your SSD case.
WE WIN SSD BENEFITS FOR THE BLIND
If you have a visual impairment that prevents you from working, then contact us. We are happy to help you file for benefits online. Also, we will help you appeal your benefit denials. We can help you apply for and win SSD benefits in Utah or Nevada. Learn more about Utah SSD benefit information. Nevada SSD benefit information is on our website. We also practice Social Security law in Idaho and California. Learn more about California SSD benefits and Idaho SSDI benefits. You can hire us anywhere you live.
You can trust our experience. In the past 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases for our clients. Our legal experts can help you apply for SSI benefits using the SSA’s website. However, we will need your help to apply for SSI benefits. Why? Because only you know your personal information. SSI benefits have financial rules and you must answer questions about your income and assets. We can’t do that part for you.
The SSA application requires your personal answers. However, we can explain how to apply. Likewise, if you need an appeal, then we can help you do that too. There are many forms to fill out. Don’t worry. If you have questions about these forms, then we will answer them. Call us today. If you are blind, then we want to win your SSD benefits. Put our experience to work for you.
