Social Security Disability Benefits for Vision Impairment

Attorneys Helping Blind and Visually Impaired People Receive SSD in Plano and Dallas

Being able to see correctly is a necessity for most types of work. This means that those whose vision is impaired will often struggle to maintain employment. Fortunately, vision impairment, which includes blindness and other issues that limit a person's ability to see, is recognized as a disability by Social Security. Those who suffer from this health condition may qualify for disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Even though impaired vision may seem to be an obvious disability, a person will need to be sure they provide the correct medical evidence and other information when applying for Social Security disability. At the Law Offices of Coats & Todd, our lawyers have the knowledge and experience needed to ensure that you can successfully receive benefits. We will make sure you follow the correct steps during the application process, and we will also explain your options for pursuing an appeal if disability benefits are denied. Our 60+ years of combined experience will ensure that all aspects of your case are properly considered as we work to help you receive the benefits you deserve.

Social Security Disability and Vision Impairment

Social Security will usually recognize vision impairment as a disability based on one of the following issues:

• Loss of central vision- The most commonly recognized form of blindness involves the loss of "central visual acuity." While a person who is totally blind and cannot perceive any light in their eyes will be considered disabled, partial blindness may also cause a person to be disabled. Statutory blindness in which a person is considered to be legally blind involves vision that is measured at 20/200 or lower in the person's better eye while using corrective lenses. However, many test charts used to measure visual acuity do not include any measurements between 20/100 and 20/200, so in many cases, a person who is measured as having vision worse than 20/100 will be considered legally blind.
• Loss of peripheral vision- Limitations to a person's field of vision can also cause them to be considered disabled. In these cases, testing will be used to determine whether a person can see at different angles when focusing on a fixed point. If a person has a narrow field of vision in which they can see no more than 20 degrees from a fixed point, they will be considered disabled.
• Loss of visual efficiency- Even if a person does not meet the requirements for statutory blindness based on visual acuity or field of vision, the combination of these issues may cause them to be disabled. In these cases, a person's visual efficiency will be measured by combining their visual acuity efficiency and visual field efficiency. If visual efficiency is 20 percent or less, a person will be considered disabled.

A few special rules apply in Social Security disability cases involving visual impairments. Those who are statutorily blind will have a higher level of income that is considered to be substantial gainful activity (SGA). This may allow them to continue to work while still qualifying for Social Security disability benefits. In addition, a "disability freeze" will apply if a person had previously been able to work, but the income they were able to earn has decreased due to visual impairments. In these cases, SSDI benefits will be calculated based on the income earned before the person experienced reduced income due to blindness.

Contact Our Denton Social Security Disability Application Lawyers

If you have experienced loss of vision or other impairments that have affected your ability to work, the Law Offices of Coats & Todd can help you apply for and receive Social Security disability benefits. We will make sure you meet all requirements during your case, ensuring that you will have the financial assistance that will meet your needs. Contact us and set up a free case evaluation by calling our office at 972-671-9922. We represent clients in cases involving disabilities in Plano, Frisco, Dallas, Dallas County, Lewisville, Collin County, Denton, Denton County, Allen, and McKinney.