DISABILITY RULES FOR BLINDNESS

Many people use the term "blind" to mean different things. However, Social Security has its own definition of blindness when considering disability benefits.

Social Security considers an individual to be blind if.....

(1) Central visual acuity is 20/200 or less in the better eye, OR

(2) There is a limitation in the field of vision in the better eye so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle of 20 degrees or less.

For purposes of SSDI benefits, the impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months. For SSI there is no duration requirement.

Social Security provides complete rules for assessment of vision in Section 2.00 of their Blue Book.

A person who is blind according to Social Security regulations may have different rules than non-blind individuals when applying for disability benefits. For example, a non-blind individual must earn wages of less than $1,260 per month to apply for disability. But a legally blind individual must earn less than $2,110 per month.