What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) For Vision Loss?
For individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes but are no longer able to continue working due to vision loss or any other qualifying disability, SSDI can provide essential financial support. To qualify, applicants must meet the SSA’s definition of blindness or have a disability that significantly impairs their ability to perform substantial gainful activity (SGA). That is work that provides more than a certain level of payment every month. According to the Social Security Administration an individual who is legally blind can earn up to $2,460 per month* in SGA without losing their disability benefits.
Vision loss is considered to be a special sense impairment. To qualify as “legally blind” for SSDI purposes, an individual doesn’t necessarily have to be totally blind but they must meet the following criteria:
Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of corrective lenses.
A visual field limitation, such that the widest diameter of the visual field is no greater than 20 degrees.
Visual Disorders VS Legal Blindness
There are a number of conditions which can affect a person’s field of vision causing vision loss or in some cases total blindness. When it comes to SSD benefits for vision loss the SSA have specific guidelines for what they will and won’t pay benefits for. If a person is declared legally blind in both eyes then they qualify but what about visual disorders with less acute impact on a person’s vision? These have more rigid criteria to qualify as an eligible disability and generally require the SSA to conduct additional testing by a doctor or optometrist to confirm whether the impact to the field of vision is severe enough to warrant being called a disability. These are more often the types of vision impairment in which you will see a person’s claim for benefits denied.
Some forms of visual impairment which may qualify for social security disability benefits include:
- optic neuropathy,
- glaucoma,
- retinitis pigmentosa,
- macular degeneration
- ocular melanoma
- cataracts
If you or someone you know is experiencing vision loss, it is crucial to explore the available options and resources provided by the Social Security Administration.
Contact The Cloud Law Firm In Florida If You are Suffering From Vision Loss
If you are living with vision loss that is significantly impacting your life and are looking to apply for Social Security disability benefits, or if you have applied and your claim has been denied please reach out to The Cloud Law Firm. We have years of experience dealing with the complex and often frustrating social security claim process and we can help you. Contact us today for your free case consultation. 855-408-5100
*This figure is based on 2023 data and can fluctuate from year to year based on cost of living and inflation.
Other Special Sense Impairments that we can assist with disability claims for: hearing and speech loss
