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Our Social Security disability lawyer for blindness in NYC knows that one of the most common types of Social Security claims is one relating to a vision injury or problem such as blindness. According to statistics compiled by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), an estimated 32.2 million adult Americans report some type of difficulty seeing. This includes while they are wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, or if they are partially or totally blind. Of this staggering figure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that approximately 12 million people who are 40 years and over in the United States have some type of vision impairment, with 4.2 million of those individuals have an uncorrectable vision impairment. Further, the CDC figures report approximately 1 million of those individuals are blind. While there are many causes for blindness, including diabetes and the rapidly aging population, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that approximately 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment each day, with one-third of those injuries requiring emergency medical treatment.
Here at O’Connor Law, we know how difficult it is to handle the Social Security claims process. These challenges are multiplied considerably when an individual it trying to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with a visual impairment. Individuals should call our experienced Social Security Lawyer for blindness in NYC to learn more about how our compassionate and dedicated team can help you and your family apply for and obtain SSDI/SSI benefits. Call today to schedule a FREE consultation to learn more about how we can help you and your family.
Normally, in order to be eligible for SSI or SSDI benefits you would need to meet certain requirements relating to disability, age, and income. But when an individual is found to be blind or have low vision, an individual must comply with special rules set forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
In order to quality for either SSDI or SSI benefits through the blindness criteria, you will need to demonstrate that your vision is not better than 20/200 in your better eye, and after corrections. This means that your vision must be less than 20/200 in both eyes and after any applicable surgery, procedure, treatment, lens, or other vision assistance.
Another way to satisfy the definition for blindness is that your visual field is 20 degrees or less in your better eye for a period that lasted 12 months or is expected to last at least 12 months. Generally this means that, after six months with no improvement, you may apply for SSDI or SSI benefits if a doctor believes your condition will continue for at least 12 months.
Even if you do not satisfy either of the grounds for blindness, you may still be entitled to SSI or SSDI benefits if your vision problems, whether alone or when combined with other problems, prevents you from working. These are more difficult cases to prove, however, with the help of an experienced Social Security disability lawyer in NYC like ours, we can help argue your case to maximize your potential benefits.
If you or a loved one have vision that prevents you from working, contact our experienced Social Security Disability lawyer for blindness in NYC. Here at the O’Connor Law Firm, we help victims and their families recover the compensation that they deserve after a disability prevents them from being able to work. Learn more how our experienced and compassionate team can help you during a FREE consultation by dialing (844) 692-6671 or by sending us a private message through our “Contact Us” box available here.
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