Friday, March 22, 2024

Blind In One Eye Disability

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What Are The Special Rules For Blind Claimants

Is blindness in one eye a disability?

There are several rules that pertain to totally or legally blind applicants that dont apply to disabled claimants who are not blind. For example:

  • Some states award legally blind applicants a higher payment amount of SSI than they do to the nonblind disabled
  • The usual limit of substantial gainful activity for SSDI claimants in 2019 by the SSA is $1220 per month. However, those who are legally blind may make up to $2040 per month before it counts against them. This does not apply to SSI claimants who have to stay below the SSI income limit.
  • Immediate SSI benefits may be awarded to people with severe disabilities who are likely to receive benefits. If you are totally blind , you could receive six months-worth of presumptive blindness benefits while waiting to hear from the SSA.
  • If you lost income as your vision became worse, you may be allowed to exclude certain earnings from your Social Security record, known as a disability freeze. Essentially, your earnings record will freeze before your disability started.

Keeping all of the complex rules for applying for Disability benefits straight can be difficult and stressful. By hiring a Disability attorney to handle your appeal, you gain the knowledge of someone familiar with the system who can help you fight for the benefits you deserve. Call the Disability Help Center Nevada today at 786-0460 to schedule an initial consultation. We can assist you with the appeals process from start to finish.

What Eye Problems Qualify For Disability

Some eye problems that qualify for disability include legal blindness, partial sight, glaucoma, macular degeneration, ocular melanoma and Sjögrens Syndrome.

Each one of those eye problems are found in the SSAs Blue Book, which are the list of conditions that the SSA considers a disability that can qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

In order to qualify for disability with an eye problem, you will need to meet the criteria set by the SSA with that condition. For example, to meet the criteria for being legally blind, your vision cant be corrected to better than 20/200 in your better eye or if your visual field is 20 degrees or less in your better eye for a period that lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months.

If you meet the medical criteria outlined by the SSA for the respective Blue Book listing, as well as meet the work requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance , the SSA will consider your eye problem as a disability and you will be able to start earning Social Security disability.

Royal National Institute Of Blind People

The RNIB is the UK’s leading charity for people with vision loss. The RNIB website offers useful information, such as coming to terms with sight loss.

The RNIB’s helpline is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm. The number is 0303 123 9999, with calls costing no more than a standard rate call to an 01 or 02 number. You can also email helpline staff .

The RNIB’s website is specially designed for people with sight loss and provides a wide range of useful information and resources, including an online community and RNIB online shop.

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What Is Vision Impairment

Vision impairment means that a persons eyesight cannot be corrected to a normal level.

Vision impairment may be caused by a loss of visual acuity, where the eye does not see objects as clearly as usual. It may also be caused by a loss of visual field, where the eye cannot see as wide an area as usual without moving the eyes or turning the head.

There are different ways of describing how severe a persons vision loss is. The World Health Organization defines low vision as visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/400, with the best possible correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. Blindness is defined as a visual acuity worse than 20/400, with the best possible correction, or a visual field of 10 degrees or less.

Someone with a visual acuity of 20/70 can see at 20 feet what someone with normal sight can see at 70 feet. Someone with a visual acuity of 20/400 can see at 20 feet what someone with normal sight can see at 400 feet. A normal visual field is about 160-170 degrees horizontally.

Vision impairment severity may be categorized differently for certain purposes. In the United States, for example, we use the term “legal blindness” to indicate that a person is eligible for certain education or federal programs. Legal blindness is defined as a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, with the best possible correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

Computers And Mobile Technology

Key Facts About Blindness and Vision Impairment

Access technology such as screen readers, screen magnifiers and refreshable braille displays enable the blind to use mainstream computer applications and mobile phones. The availability of assistive technology is increasing, accompanied by concerted efforts to ensure the accessibility of information technology to all potential users, including the blind. Later versions of Microsoft Windows include an Accessibility Wizard & Magnifier for those with partial vision, and Microsoft Narrator, a simple screen reader. Linux distributions for the blind include Vinux and Adriane Knoppix, the latter developed in part by Adriane Knopper who has a visual impairment. macOS and iOS also come with a built-in screen reader called VoiceOver, while is built in to most Android devices.

The movement towards greater web accessibility is opening a far wider number of websites to adaptive technology, making the web a more inviting place for visually impaired surfers.

Experimental approaches in sensory substitution are beginning to provide access to arbitrary live views from a camera.

Modified visual output that includes large print and/or clear simple graphics can be of benefit to users with some residual vision.

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Can You Be Blind In One Eye And Disability Benefits

You can be blind and one eye and could qualify for Social Security disability benefits Even if you dont meet the SSAs criteria for blindness, such as being blind in one eye, you may still qualify for Social Security disability benefits if you being blind in one eye makes it impossible for you to work full time.

You can also be blind and one eye and get disability benefits, if you have another severe health ailment with it that prevents you from being able to work full time.

In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits while being blind in one eye, you need to meet the medical criteria outlined by the SSA and you need to have worked enough from a job where you paid Social Security taxes and earned enough work credits.

Types Of Visual Impairment

Not all visual impairments are the same, although the umbrella term visual impairment may be used to describe generally the consequence of an eye condition or disorder.

The eye has different parts that work together to create our ability to see. When a part of the eye doesnt work right or communicate well with the brain, vision is impaired.

To understand the particular visual impairment a child has, its helpful to understand the anatomy of the eye and the functions of its different parts. Rather than go into those details here, in this general fact sheet, were pleased to refer you to the experts for easy-to-understand explanations and diagrams of the visual system.

National Eye Institute |Visit the Institute online for a diagram of the eye, what different parts are called, and what aspect of vision each part is responsible for.

Most of us are familiar with visual impairments such as near-sightedness and far-sightedness. Less familiar visual impairments include:

There are also numerous other eye conditions that can cause visual impairment. For a more comprehensive glossary of conditions, here are two resource pages youll find helpful:

American Foundation for the Blind

Because there are many different causes of visual impairment, the degreeof impairment a child experiences can range from mild to severe . The degree of impairment will depend on:

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Visual Efficiency Listing 204

If you have poor peripheral vision in addition to poor visual acuity, you might be able to qualify under the SSAs listing for loss of visual efficiency . Your percentage of visual efficiency combines your central visual acuity and peripheral vision capabilities. You will be eligible for benefits if you have a visual field efficiency of 20 percent or less. This is determined by kinetic perimetry. Another option to determine visual impairment is having a value of 1.00 or greater after best correction.

Your Right To Social Security Disability Benefits For Partial Or Complete Blindness

Is being partially blind a disability?

Suffering with vision loss can make life challenging and make it impossible for you to work. If you’re partially, legally, or totally blind, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits through the Social Security Administration .

However, your reduced vision must be significant in order to qualify.

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Simulations Of Vision Loss

About 80 percent of individuals who are blind have some remaining vision. It may be difficult to understand how an individual with a certain eye condition can see some things while not seeing others. While some people lose a lot of vision in a short period of time, others lose vision slowly. Many diseases that cause blindness begin to affect a certain part of a one’s vision and then progress to take away more vision. For example, macular degeneration initially affects a person’s central vision . For visual examples of what individuals might see if they have diseases, such as Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Retinitis Pigmentosa go to the National Eye Institute’s website at: .

Iowa Department for the Blind524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-2364Phone: 515-281-1333, 800-362-2587 Fax: 515-281-1263

How You Can Get Security Disability With Vision Loss In 2023

Welcome to Disability Benefits Help, an organization committed to helping claimants across the United States receive approval for disability benefits.

Since applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a difficult process, a disability attorney or advocate may increase your chances of being awarded benefits by helping accurately and favorably complete the complex paperwork, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and providing you with representation at a hearing. After submitting our web form, you will receive a 100% FREE evaluation of your disability claim. Disability attorneys and advocates receive compensation if you are awarded back benefits. We have no affiliation with the Social Security Administration, the agency at which you can apply for Social Security disability at no cost.

If your vision is 20/200, or legally blind, you may qualify for disability benefits. The Social Security Administration considers legal or statutory blindness as a qualified disability.

Legally blind individuals include people who have been blind since birth in addition to those that have experienced severe vision loss due to conditions. These conditions that may qualify for disability benefits due to vision loss include glaucoma, retinopathy, and traumatic injury, among others.

In fact, the blind can qualify for disability and still continue to work while receiving monthly benefits, provided they meet all SSA requirements.

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Accommodating Individuals With Visual Disabilities

An accommodation is any modification or adjustment to ajob or work environment that will permit a qualified individual with adisability to apply for a job, to perform a job’s essential functions , or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment.Under the ADA, employers must provide reasonable accommodations to the knownphysical or mental limitations of persons with disabilities. Generally, anindividual with a disability must request a reasonable accommodation before anemployer will have an obligation to provide one. Once an accommodation has beenrequested, an employer should engage in an interactive process to determinewhether an individual has a disability that requires an accommodation and, ifso, must make a reasonable effort to determine the appropriate accommodation.Accommodations vary depending on the needs of the person with the disability.

7. What types of reasonable accommodations maypeople with visual disabilities need?

People with visual disabilities may need one or more ofthe following accommodations:

  • Assistive technology, including:
  • Software that will read information on the computer screen
  • An optical scanner that can create documents in electronic form from printed ones
  • Modification of employer policies to allow use of a guide dog in the workplace
  • Modification of an employment test
  • A driver or payment for the cost of transportation to enable performance of essential functions
  • An accessible website
  • What Are Visual Disorders

    Aimee Walker

    The definition of blindness or visual disorders is complex. Especially, under the SSAs regulations for blindness. Visual disorders are abnormalities of the eye, the optic nerve, the optic tracts, or of the brain. These conditions may cause blindness, a loss of visual acuity, or a loss of the visual fields. A loss of visual acuity happens when you are not able to see and distinguish detail, read, or do fine visual work. A loss of visual fields occurs when you are not able to use your peripheral vision. If you cannot work due to your visual impairment, then you should be eligible for SSDI and SSI benefits.

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    Rules For People Who Are Blind Or Over The Age Of 55

    For persons who are older than 55 years old and blind, SSA applies various criteria to determine their employment. These are somewhat different from the ones for individuals who arent blind. If someone is of age 55 and makes more than$2,260 each month in 2022, his or her benefits will be suspended. Benefits are not, however, cancelled. The salary caps may vary from year to year.

    If an individuals earnings fall below $2,260 in any one month, the SSA will begin paying benefits. This is the SGA work threshold set by the SSA, which serves as a limit on how much productive activity may be done. To learn more about disability benefit programs such As SSI and SSDI, you should contact a qualified disability lawyer.

    A lawyer can help you understand the application and appeals process, as well as ensure that you are meeting all of the deadlines. It is important to have legal representation when seeking any kind of government benefits, especially those related to blindness or disability.

    The SSA has a lot of experience handling these types of claims, and you will want to make sure that you are putting your best foot forward.

    Have any Questions?

    A Functional Definition Of Low Vision

    Not all eye care professionals agree with an exclusively numerical description of low vision. Here’s another more functional definition of low vision:

    • Low vision is uncorrectable vision loss that interferes with daily activities. It is better defined in terms of function, rather than test results.
    • In other words, low vision is “not enough vision to do whatever it is you need to do,” which can vary from person to person.
    • Most eye care professionals prefer to use the term “low vision” to describe permanently reduced vision that cannot be corrected with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery.
    • If you have low vision, it is necessary to have a different kind of eye examination that uses different and more detailed tests to determine what you can and cannot see. You can learn more about these specialized eye charts and testing procedures at What is a Low Vision Examination?

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    Disability Benefits For Blindness

    Social Security Disability Lawyers: Riverside, Orange & San Bernardino Counties

    Disability Benefits for Blindness

    The Social Security Administration defines blindness as a visual acuity of 20/200 or less , with the use of a correcting lens. In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, the blindness must be in both eyes If you are blind in one eye, but you have better than 20/200 vision in the other eye, you may not qualify for benefits under SSA guidelines.

    In addition to loss of acuity, you may qualify for a disability award if you have a visual field restriction to the extent that the widest diameter of the visual field is 20 degrees or less.

    The length of time you have had blindness is not a factor in awarding benefits.

    The documentation that is required includes a report of your visual acuity and/or visual fields and the cause of the loss of vision. While the cause of your blindness doesn’t determine whether benefits will be granted, the medical records must include a diagnosed cause in order to receive benefits.

    Causes

    Some of the more common causes of blindness include diabetes mellitus, macular degeneration, traumatic injuries, infections of the cornea or retina, glaucoma, amblyopia , strabismus, uveitis, stroke, optic neuritis , retinitis pigmentosa, and retinal detachment.

    Fast Facts

    An estimated 61 million adults in the United States are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the past 12 months.

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    Blind and Visually Impaired Disability Awareness Video

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