Social security

[Frogmonson]

I was just declared legally blind. Will this change my social security benefits?

[xmasbaby0]

If you are legally blind you will get a higher amount as a standard deduction when you file your tax return.   Your vision will not have any effect on your Social Security benefit.   However, if you have not yet retired and are not yet receiving SS, are you asking about getting Social Security disability?  That is a different story....one which would have to be answered by Social Security.  There is a process to apply for Social Security disability benefits if your ability to work has been compromised by a medical condition.

[Denisev1220]

According to my research, it does appear to increase. Furthermore, if you went blind before obtaining social security, those quarters can be replaced with quarters where you earned more income.

Does Social Security pay more for blindness?

For example, in 2023 the SGA guideline for people who are blind is $2,460.00 per month, but it is only $1,470.00 per month for people who are not blind. Usually Social Security adjusts this amount to a different rate each year.

[heidis1]

Hi Frogmonson,

The monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals for 2023 is $2460. For non-blind individuals, the monthly SGA amount for 2023 is $1470. SGA for the blind does not apply to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, while SGA for the non-blind disabled applies to Social Security and SSI benefits.

If your earnings are lower because of your blindness, we can exclude those years when we calculate your Social Security retirement or disability benefit in the future. Because Social Security benefits are based on your average lifetime earnings, your benefit will be higher if we don't count those years.

Here is a link that may help:

If You’re Blind or Have Low Vision — How We Can Help 

Monthly SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals 

Understanding SSI 

Thank you for asking.