Income Support, Tax Benefits, and Insurance - Blindness Resources

Note: The information in this guide is provided as educational material and should not be taken as legal advice. If you're unsure of how certain benefits apply to you, consult with a legal professional.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to disabled persons (including those who are legally blind) who are “insured” by workers’ contributions to the Social Security trust fund. These contributions are based on your earnings (or those of your spouse or parents) as required by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Your dependents may also be eligible for benefits from your earnings record.

SSDI will help if you are severely disabled and can’t be employed in your field of work, have a history of work, have paid into Social Security in prior work years, and have a medical issue that meets the Social Security disability guidelines (such as legal blindness). Under SSDI, this condition has to have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months. Your benefit amount can be higher or lower depending on your income history and work duration.

You can apply for SSDI online. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will review your application and supporting documents and make a decision as to whether or not you qualify as disabled, and if you do, whether or not you’re eligible for benefits.

You can speak with an SSDI representative by calling your local Social Security office or the national number (1-800-772-1213). Local office phone numbers can be found online with the Social Security Office Locator.

Note: If you receive SSDI benefits and work, it is important to pay close attention to the amount of income you earn in relation to the monthly maximum allowed for a blind individual to earn and to continue to receive SSDI benefits. If your monthly income exceeds the monthly allowed amount, SSDI does not automatically stop sending your monthly benefit amount. They will review your case from time to time, and if they determine that you have received benefits to which you were not entitled, they will send a letter demanding repayment. This can be for a significant amount, and can be an extremely unpleasant situation to be in.

Disability Advice

Disability Advice is a private program dedicated to providing information and support around SSDI and disability compensation. They provide a free online SSDI Calculator for eligible people to calculate their estimated monthly income as well as a series of guides and FAQs.

Learn more about Disability Advice . Free consultation is also available through the contact form on their site.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Unlike SSDI, which is based on work experience, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program based on need that’s available to people who are disabled (including legally blind), or over 65. Many states pay a supplemental benefit to eligible persons in addition to their Federal benefits.

SSI qualification is based on your resources. If your assets are worth more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple, you’re considered to be ineligible. This amount includes most personal property, but excludes certain items, such as your primary home. There are also strict income requirements for SSI eligibility.

You can apply for SSI on their website. You can also call them toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to set up an in-person or telephone appointment with a representative from your local Social Security office. Do not wait to apply. If you believe you’re eligible for SSI, contact SSA right away. You will receive SSI payments retroactively from the month after the filing date of your application, or the month after you first meet all the eligibility requirements, whichever is later.

Learn more about SSI.

Note: As with SSDI, if you receive SSI benefits, it is important to pay close attention to the amount of income you earn and your assets in relation to the maximum allowed. If your monthly income exceeds the monthly allowed amount, or if in any month your assets exceed the maximum allowed amount, SSI does not automatically stop sending your monthly benefit amount. If you ever request to stop receiving SSI benefits, they will review your case. If they determine that you have received benefits to which you were not entitled, they will send a letter demanding repayment. This can be for a significant amount, and can be an extremely unpleasant situation to be in.

Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is a state agency that provides cash benefits, food assistance (SNAP benefits), and workforce training for low-income individuals. They offer disability assistance such as help with filling out forms, making appointments, managing benefits, and more individual accommodations to ensure that all applicants can make full use of their services.

Learn more about DTA. Call the DTA Assistance Line between 8:15AM and 4:45PM at 877-382-2363. Contact them by fax at 617-887-7865.

Tax Benefits

Several aspects of federal tax law apply specifically to individuals considered to be legally blind (vision is 20/200 or less in the best eye). Some of those deductions are described below, but check with the IRS or your local tax preparer for comprehensive information.

Bigger Standard Deduction

Legally blind federal tax filers can claim unique deductions. This translates into a larger tax break, allowing you to subtract a bigger standard tax deduction from your adjusted gross income. Married filers also benefit from this deduction when their spouse is visually impaired. If you’re blind and over age 65, your savings increase.

Medical Deductions for the Blind

The law allows you to deduct what you spend to prevent, diagnose or treat illness, as well as any costs related to your blindness or visual impairment. As with any taxpayer, the total of both types of medical expenses must be more than 10% of your adjusted gross income before you can claim a deduction. Transportation to and from a doctor’s office, prescriptions, insurance premiums and tests are examples of accepted medical deduction expenses as are disability-associated items such as Braille magazines and books (costs that exceed regular print versions), Braille printers, eyeglasses, eye exams, eye surgery, Guide dog and all related costs, and home modifications.

Real Estate Tax Exemption

Individuals who are legally blind may be eligible for a property tax exemption on a home in which they reside and own. As the amount of the exemption varies, contact the local assessor's office for further details. A current Certificate of Blindness must be submitted.

Automobile Excise Tax Exemption

Individuals who are legally blind may be eligible for an excise tax exemption on a vehicle registered in their name. Application for this exemption should be made through the local tax department. A current Certificate of Blindness is required for this exemption.

Impairment-Related Work Expenses

You may require special equipment or accommodations as an employee or self-employed individual. The tax code allows you to subtract expenses for things you must have in order to work. Called impairment-related work expenses, they appear as unreimbursed employee expenses on the Schedule A form used for itemizing. Minimum requirements for the dollar amount do not apply to blind filers.

Provided you don’t count them under medical expenses, impairment-related work expenses include the following: computer attachments for Braille display and typing, electronic visual aids, high-speed Internet connection, modifications to your home, software that provides synthetic voice description, and reader services.

Tax Preparation Assistance

Blind or low vision people are eligible for tax preparation assistance from their local Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office, or through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sponsored by the IRS. Taxpayers can find a nearby IRS office location by calling 1-800-906-9887.

Medicare

Medicare is a national health insurance program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). If you are age 18 to 64, your eligibility for Medicare is tied to your eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. You must qualify for and receive SSDI monthly income benefits to be eligible for Medicare.

Once you are approved for SSDI, you must wait 5 months for your income benefits to begin, and an additional 24 months before Medicare benefits begin.

Medicare covers only some of the healthcare expenses of those enrolled and does not cover the cost of low vision devices. It is divided into four parts. Medicare Part A covers hospital, skilled nursing, and hospice services, and has no cost. Part B has a cost, and covers outpatient services, outpatient hospital charges, most provider office visits, and most professionally administered prescription drugs. Your Part B cost can be deducted from your monthly SSDI and/or SSI benefit payment.

Enrollees can cover most of the remaining costs by taking additional private insurance and/or by joining a Part C Medicare health plan. Part C is an alternative to the combination of Parts A and B, called Managed Medicare or Medicare Advantage, which allows patients to choose health plans with at least the same service coverage as Parts A and B. A beneficiary must enroll in Parts A and B first before signing up for Part C. Part D covers most self-administered prescription drugs.

Learn more about Medicare.

MassHealth

MassHealth is a Massachusetts state insurance program for low-income residents as well as children and people with disabilities.

Residents who are legally blind and registered with the Mass Commission for the Blind (MCB) are automatically eligible for these benefits. In addition to being a primary insurance, MassHealth can act as a secondary insurance, covering copays and other expenses for legally blind dependents.

Learn more about MassHealth.