How can I learn more about Social Security benefits?

Social Security [1] benefits for people who are blind or have low vision include:

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income [2] (SSI) payments are based on income and resource criteria and payments will vary from state to state. An individual may qualify for SSI assistance due to vision loss. If an individual works while receiving SSI, he or she will be subject to income limits. Several online publications explain the application process, eligibility requirements, and Social Security definitions of blindness and disability:

• Understanding Supplemental Security Income If You Are Disabled or Blind: 2006 Edition [3]
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-1100) [4]
• If You are Blind or Have Low Vision—How We Can Help (Publication No. 05-10052) [5]

For more information about SSI, contact your local Social Security office [6] or call 1-800-772-1213. A full listing of all online Social Security Benefit publications is available here [7].

Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance [8] (SSDI) is available to individuals who have worked and earned work credits. The amount is greater than SSI and income limits are generally higher, meaning that an individual can earn more money before SSDI funding is reduced. Disability Benefits (Publication No. 05-10029) [9] is an online publication that explains the application process, eligibility requirements, and Social Security definitions of blindness and disability. For more information about SSDI, contact your local Social Security office [6] or call 1-800-772-1213. A full listing of all online Social Security Benefit publications is available here [7].

Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program [10] is an employment program for people with disabilities. The goal of the Ticket to Work Program is to increase opportunities and choices for Social Security disability beneficiaries to obtain employment, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services from public and private providers and employers. For more information about Ticket to Work, contact your local Social Security office [6] or call 1-800-772-1213.

Social Security and Disability Resource Center

The Social Security Disability and Resource Center [11] provides information about the federal government's two disability benefit programs: Title II Social Security Disability Benefits and Title 16 SSI Disability Benefits. Covered topics include disability applications, denials of claims, filing appeals, and how the disability claim evaluation process works.