How Social Security Defines Blindness

Social Security has its own definition of blindness.

You will be considered blind if your distance vision is less than or equal to 20/200, in the better eye with the use of corrective lenses. Or, if, in your better eye the widest diameter of your visual field subtends at an angle more than 20 degrees. This is proved by your diagnosis and treatment in your medical records.

However, if your vision is better than that of the above, you still may be eligible for disability, if you have another or other impairments. One must meet the definition of disability, if you are an adult or child.

For an adult, remember that is a person is who eighteen years and older. You must have a medically deemed impairment that is either a physical or mental. A mental impairment includes both emotional and learning difficulties. This impairment demands that there is an inability to accomplish any substantial gainful activity, it either has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or longer or is a condition that results in death.

A child is a person under age eighteen the same is true. A child must have a medically deemed impairment either physical or mental. The mental component of the impairment may be one of a learning disability or emotional in nature. A child's function limitations must be marked and severe. Like the adult definition, the condition must have been already in place for not less than twelve months or is anticipated to last beyond twelve months or result in death.

This blog is intended for information purposes only and does not establish legal representation or financial guidance.