Vision Loss: Understanding Disability Benefits and Support

Vision loss can have significant effects on your daily life. You don’t need to be legally blind to qualify for certain disability benefits and support.

Vision loss can cause major changes in your life. It can affect your ability to work, navigate your environment, and communicate. It can change how you perform tasks like driving, reading, writing, or operating machinery.

Understanding disability benefits for vision loss can help stabilize your finances and help you gain access to healthcare, rehabilitation, support services, and devices that might help you resume your independence.

Disability benefits overview

Several disability benefit programs exist if you’re experiencing vision loss. The two most prominent ones providing financial assistance are overseen by the Social Security Administration (SSA):

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The medical rules that determine eligibility are the same for SSDI and SSI. You may qualify for benefits under these programs if you meet the 20/200 visual acuity or 20-degree visual field criteria for legal blindness.

You don’t have to be legally blind to receive SSA benefits. Certain types of vision loss may qualify based on your individual diagnosis.

SSDI eligibility

SSDI eligibility is determined by your amount of work credits. Work credits are based on your yearly wage or self-employment income.

You can earn up to 4 credits each year, though the amount of income it takes to earn a credit changes annually. In 2024, 1 work credit was earned for every $1,730 in wages (up to 4 credits).

To qualify for disability benefits under SSDI, it typically takes 40 work credits , 20 of which were earned in the 10 years before the year a disability begins. If you’re under 31 years old , fewer work credits are required.

You can still earn income and receive SSDI, but there’s a limit to how much you can make monthly and still be eligible for disability benefits. In 2024, the monthly limit of additional income (known as substantial gainful activity) is $2,590 .

For SSDI, vision loss must be present for or expected to last at least 12 months. You must be a legal U.S. resident or lawfully permanent resident.

SSI eligibility

SSI is not based on your work history. It’s a needs-based program intended for people with limited income or resources. To be eligible for disability benefits for vision loss under SSI, you need to :

• earn less than $1,971 monthly
• have no more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple in resources like bank accounts or vehicles
• live with a disability that severely limits daily activity or affects your ability to work for 1 year or more

Each month you need to report your wages, other sources of income, and any changes to your living arrangements or resources. The amount you’re awarded for disability depends on your individual reporting.

Like SSDI, SSI benefits are available to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully permanent residents.

Vision loss and employment

Vision loss is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , which protects you from discrimination in the workplace and requires equal opportunity employment with companies of 15 or more employees.

The ADA also states employers must provide reasonable accommodations for employees with vision loss as long as those accommodations do not cause undue hardship for the company.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• providing screen reading software
• offering printable materials in a variety of accessible formats, like large print or Braille
• adjusting office layouts or equipment for safety or ease of use
• allowing guide dogs in the workplace

Vocational rehabilitation services

Each U.S. state has a vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency. These organizations offer a variety of job-related support services for people living with disabilities, including vision loss.

You can find your state VR agency by visiting the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) directory . Application processes may vary by state.

Foundations and nonprofit employment aid

Several nonprofit organizations offer employment support for people with vision loss, including:

• American Foundation for the Blind
• National Federation of the Blind
• National Industries for the Blind

Financial assistance programs

Medicaid and Medicare are the primary federal government assistance programs for medical expenses.

Medicare

Original Medicare programs do not typically cover routine eye care, but they do cover certain services specifically related to vision loss, such as :

• annual glaucoma test for at-risk individuals
• diabetic retinopathy screening among people with diabetes
• tests and screenings for macular degeneration
• cataract surgery and one pair of postsurgery corrective lenses

Under Original Medicare, you’re responsible for 20% of costs and the deductible on your plan. Medicare Advantage programs, which use private insurance companies approved by Medicare, may offer more extensive eye care benefits.

You may not be immediately eligible for Medicare if you were just approved for SSDI or SSI .

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program intended to help low income households afford medical services. Exact benefits can vary significantly based on where you live. Adult eye care is one area where Medicaid services may be lacking.

Your benefits will be determined by the state you live in. Benefits may offer coverage for visual assistance devices, necessary eye surgeries, or tests and examinations.

You can find out more about your state’s Medicaid program by visiting Medicaid’s directory .

Charitable organizations and other supports

When it comes to covering medical expenses, nonprofit and charitable organizations may offer private grants or funding.

If you’re looking for options beyond government programs, consider visiting:

• EyeCare America
• Lions Club International
• HelpMeSee

Assistive technology and devices

Assistive technologies are those that help improve your vision or help you function with vision loss. Examples of assistive technologies and devices include:

• screen reader software that converts text to speech or Braille
• magnification devices or software to enlarge images or text
• devices that convert text to Braille
• audiobooks and players
• optical character recognition devices that scan printed text and convert it to digital
• voice-activated assistants, like Google Home
• tactile graphics with textured or raised images that can be felt for sensory input
• voice-guided tools like navigation watches and talking scales

Some government benefit programs, like Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare, may cover certain assistive technologies like magnifiers or screen reader software.

Many private organizations also offer programs that can help with acquiring assistive technology, including:

• National Federation of the Blind’s Technology Assistance Program
• American Foundation for the Blind’s Technology Resources
• Lighthouse Guild’s Technology Center

The takeaway

Living with vision loss may allow you access to certain disability benefits and legal protections.

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the disability benefits program. How many years you’ve worked, your current income and resources, and your doctor’s diagnosis can all matter.