Special Rules for the Blind

There are special rules for people who are blind or have low vision.

The Social Security Administration considers you to be legally blind under Social Security rules if your vision cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in your better eye, or if your visual field is 20 degrees or less, even with a corrective lens. Many people who meet the legal definition of blindness still have some sight, and may be able to read large print and get around without a cane or a guide dog.

If you do not meet the legal definition of blindness, you may still qualify for disability benefits if your vision problems alone or combined with other health problems prevent you from working.

There are a number of special rules for people who are blind that recognize the severe impact of blindness on a person’s ability to work. For example, the monthly earnings limit for people who are blind is generally higher than the limit that applies to non-blind disabled workers.

In 2011, the monthly earnings limit will be $1,640.

NOTE: By law, the monthly earnings limit usually increases each year if the Consumer Price Index For Workers goes up. Because the 2010 Consumer Price Index did not increase over the previous year, the 2011 earnings limit will remain the same.