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42 U.S.C. 421(m), 902(a)(5), 1382, 1382c, 1382h, 1383, and 1383b; secs. 4(c) and 5, 6(c)-(e), 14(a), and 15, Pub. L. 98-460, 98 Stat. 1794, 1801, 1802, and 1808 (42 U.S.C. 421 note, 423 note, and 1382h note).
45 FR 55621, Aug. 20, 1980, unless otherwise noted.
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Subscribe to: 20 CFR Part 416 Subpart I - Blindness
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Nomenclature changes to part 416 appear at 68 FR 53509, Sept. 11, 2003.
We will consider you blind under the law for payment of supplemental security income benefits if we determine that you are statutorily blind. Statutory blindness is central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. An eye which has a limitation in the field of vision so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees is considered to have a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less.
We shall also consider you blind for the purposes of payment of supplemental security income benefits if—
(a) You were found to be blind as defined under a State plan approved under title X or title XVI of the Social Security Act, as in effect for October 1972;
(b) You received aid under the State plan because of your blindness for the month of December 1973; and
(c) You continue to be blind as defined under the State plan.
We will find that you are blind if you are statutorily blind within the meaning of § 416.981. For us to find that you are statutorily blind, it is not necessary—
(a) That your blindness meet the duration requirement; or
(b) That you be unable to do any substantial gainful activity.
There is no requirement that you be unable to work in order for us to find that you are blind. However, if you are working, your earnings will be considered under the income and resources rules in subparts K and L of this part. This means that if your income or resources exceed the limitations, you will not be eligible for benefits, even though you are blind.
If you are not blind as defined in the law, we will evaluate a visual impairment the same as we evaluate other impairments in determining disability. Although you will not qualify for benefits on the basis of blindness, you may still be eligible for benefits if we find that you are disabled as defined in §§ 416.905 through 416.907.
(a) If your vision does not meet the definition of blindness. If you become entitled to payments as a statutorily blind person and your statutory blindness ends, your eligibility for payments generally will end 2 months after your blindness ends. We will find that your statutory blindness has ended beginning with the earliest of the following months—
(1) The month your vision, based on current medical evidence, does not meet the definition of blindness and you were disabled only for a specified period of time in the past;
(2) The month your vision based on current medical evidence, does not meet the definition of blindness, but not earlier than the month in which we mail you a notice saying that the information we have shows that you are not now blind; or
(3) The first month in which you fail to follow prescribed treatment that can restore your ability to work (see § 416.930).
(b) If you were found blind as defined in a State plan. If you become eligible for payments because you were blind as defined in a State plan, we will find that your blindness has ended beginning with the first month in which your vision, as shown by medical or other evidence, does not meet the criteria of the appropriate State plan or the first month in which your vision does not meet the definition of statutory blindness (§ 416.981), whichever is later, and in neither event earlier than the month in which we mail you a notice saying that we have determined that you are not now blind under a State plan or not now statutorily blind, as appropriate.
(c) If you do not cooperate with us. If you are asked to give us medical or other evidence or to go for a physical or mental examination by a certain date, we will find that your blindness ended if you fail, without good cause, to do what we ask. Section 416.1411 explains the factors we consider and how we will determine generally whether you have good cause for failure to cooperate. In addition, § 416.918 discusses how we determine whether you have good cause for failing to attend a consultative examination. The month in which your blindness ends will be the month in which you fail to do what we asked.
(d) Before we stop your payments. Before we stop payment of your benefits we will give you a chance to give us your reasons why we should not stop payment. Subpart M of this part describes your rights and the procedures we will follow.
[45 FR 55621, Aug. 20, 1980, as amended at 50 FR 50137, Dec. 6, 1985; 51 FR 7603, Feb. 28, 1986; 59 FR 1636, Jan. 12, 1994]