The blind and visually impaired can apply and possibly qualify for two United States government programs that will provide financial benefits if the visual disability inhibits or creates the inability to become employed and receive employment income. These specific types of programs will help supplement a person's income once he or she has been medically deemed legally blind.
The legally blind and visually impaired can get supplemental income by applying for Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income.
Eligibility
According to the Social Security Administration as of January 2007, the blind or visually impaired can qualify for benefits if vision is 20/200 or lower in one or both eyes, or if the visual field is 20 degrees or less in the "better eye."
Types
There are two main types of benefits that the visually impaired or blind can qualify for under the United States government. The blind or visually impaired can claim Social Security benefits if unemployed as a result of not being able to perform job-related tasks. The United States government can also grant benefits for all who qualify under the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI disability benefits).
The visually impaired may qualify for SSI disability only if their vision adheres to the legal definition of blindness. Disability benefits can be made available for the visually impaired or blind if vision problems alone, or combined with other health problems, prevent employment.
Qualifications
There are several qualifications that guarantee benefits for the blind. The blind may automatically qualify for disability benefits (SSI) if they are working and paying Social Security taxes. The legally blind can earn credits during their working years, and these credits will go toward qualifying them for disability if they do not have enough credits at the time they do become blind.
If the blind do not have enough credits to obtain Social Security disability benefits based on their earnings, then they may be able to get benefits based on the earnings of one of their parents or a spouse. In order to obtain SSI, the blind must have worked under Social Security before applying for SSI.
Incentives
There are programs set in place that will allow and encourage the visually impaired to become employed. This set of guidelines, also known as "work incentives," allows for the blind to work and still receive benefits so long as they do not exceed $1,500 per month of income. The same applies for the self-employed. According to the 2007 review on LowVision.com entitled "Independence Lives Here," self-employed workers cannot receive more than $1,500 in net profits.
Special Rules
The disability freeze may help the blind or visually impaired obtain higher retirement if they are legally blind but are not getting disability benefits currently while employed. If income is low due to blindness, SSI can exclude those years by calculating the Social Security retirement or disability benefit in the future. Because Social Security benefits are based on the average lifetime earnings, their benefits will, as a result, be higher if those working years are not counted. The blind or visually impaired may apply for the disability freeze at any time.
Applying for Benefits
The blind or visually impaired may apply directly for either Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income by contacting their local Social Security office by phone, or by visiting the office.
Tags: visually impaired, Social Security, blind visually, blind visually impaired, disability benefits, legally blind