If you are blind or visually impaired, you could qualify for financial support from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA administers two programs that provide benefits for individuals who cannot maintain gainful employment due to disabilities like a visual impairment: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Let’s explore the specifics of the SSDI program and how it could help if you or someone in your family is visually impaired.
Do I Qualify for SSDI for Blindness?
You could qualify for SSDI benefits if you meet the following criteria:
- You meet the SSA’s definition of blindness, meaning at least one of the following is true:
- Your vision cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in either eye.
- Your visual field is 20 degrees or fewer in your better eye.
- Your vision, alone or combined with another condition, prevents you from working.
- Your visual impairment has lasted (or is expected to last) at least 12 months.
- You previously worked a job where you paid Social Security taxes recently enough and for long enough to meet the SSDI work eligibility requirements.
What Benefits Can You Get If You Are Legally Blind?
If you meet the SSA’s qualifications for SSDI, the benefits you should receive depend on your work history and the Social Security taxes you paid before you suffered the disabling injury.
If you earned less money recently than you had in the past due to your blindness, the SSA could exclude those years of lower income when calculating your benefits, leaving you with higher lifetime earnings and, potentially, a bigger monthly check.
If you are visually impaired and receiving SSDI benefits, you can continue working as long as your earnings do not exceed annual set maximums.
How to Prove Blindness
You must receive an eye examination by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist to demonstrate that you meet the SSA’s criteria for blindness. You might need to undergo a visual acuity test or visual field test, depending on the nature of your disability.
If the SSA suspects your vision is better than you claim, you might have to undergo a test that measures your brainwave responses to visual stimuli. The SSA’s Blue Book describes the types of examinations, tests, and measurements you might need to prove your claim.
Applying for SSDI in South Carolina
You can apply for SSDI benefits at your local SSA office, over the phone, or online. However, getting the benefits you deserve might prove challenging. The application process can be lengthy, confusing, and intimidating. Many first-time applicants are denied. A South Carolina disability attorney can determine your eligibility for federal benefits, complete and file all the necessary paperwork, and assist during the appeals process if necessary.
Consult a South Carolina Disability Attorney to Learn Your Options
If you have vision loss that prevents you from working, Land Parker Welch LLC can determine whether you qualify for SSDI benefits and pursue your application on your behalf. Let us take the pressure off you and advocate for the benefits you deserve. Contact us today to speak with one of our South Carolina disability attorneys for free.
