Many jobs in Missouri require workers to have certain abilities and skills. Employees may spend a lot of time and money to acquire and develop these skills, leaving them well-positioned to retain employment, keep it and find financial stability. Yet, there are many individuals across Missouri who lack even the basic abilities needed to perform many jobs. For example, some Missouri residents suffer from blindness or some form of visual impairment that impacts their ability to work.
This can be stressful, as an inability to work, or find significant work, can seriously damage an individual’s financial welfare, as well as that of family members. These individuals are often left feeling overwhelmed, but they may be able to find financial assistance from the Social Security Disability system.
The Social Security Administration allows those who are blind or visually impaired to recover SSD benefits. To qualify as blind, an individual’s vision must be 20/200 or worse in the person’s better eye, or possess a visual field that is 20 degrees or less. Those who do not meet that definition but still have visual impairment may still be able to acquire benefits if they can show that it severely impacts their ability to work.
Those who have sight problems are often subjected to special rules under the Social Security Disability system. For example, they are often allowed to work, earn more income and still qualify for SSD. To see if an individual might qualify for Social Security Disability and in what ways it might help provide financial stability, those suffering from poor vision may want to get more information about the application process.
Source: Social Security Administration, “Disability Planner: Special Rules For People Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision,” accessed on April 10, 2016