Social Security blind benefits - Can my friend get more than $900 SSI due to macular degeneration?

Blindness doesn't automatically get you more SSI money. The $1900 ur thinking of might be SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) which is different from SSI. For SSDI there's a higher earnings limit for blind people but the benefit amount depends on how much they worked and paid into the system. If he's only been on SSI he probably didn't work enough to qualify for SSDI.

There's an important distinction here. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) has a federal maximum of $943 for an individual in 2025, with some states providing a supplement. SSDI (Disability Insurance) benefits are based on work history and can be higher. If your friend has been blind for several years but hasn't reported this change to SSA, he absolutely should. While blindness won't increase the federal SSI payment, it may: 1. Qualify him for state supplements specifically for blind individuals 2. Provide additional income exclusions when calculating SSI 3. Potentially qualify him for SSDI blind benefits if he has ANY work history He should contact SSA immediately to report his medical condition change. The definition of blindness for Social Security purposes is very specific - central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses or visual field limitation of 20 degrees or less.

my aunt is blind and gets BOTH ssi and ssdi. they call it concurrent benefits. maybe your friend can get both too??

Your friend should absolutely contact SSA about his vision changes. If he worked as a janitor for 20+ years as you mentioned, he may actually qualify for SSDI instead of (or in addition to) SSI, which could significantly increase his monthly benefit. For blind individuals, there are several important provisions: 1. A higher substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit for those still working 2. Possible qualification for the Blind Work Expense (BWE) deductions 3. Special earnings test exemptions for blind beneficiaries past FRA He should gather his medical documentation confirming legal blindness and his work history. A Social Security representative can calculate if he's eligible for SSDI based on his work credits. The $1,900 figure you mentioned is likely referring to the average SSDI payment for blind workers, which is typically higher than standard SSDI because it's often based on higher earnings history and additional work incentives.

GOOD LUCK getting anyone at SS on the phone!!! I tried for 2 WEEKS to report my mom's blindness and kept getting disconnected!!! The online system doesn't let you report medical changes!!! And our local office has 3 MONTH wait for appointments!!!

has anyone checked if the state offers additional benefits for blind people? im in california and my cousin gets an extra state supplement on top of his federal SSI because hes blind. its not huge but every dollar helps you know?

Based on what you've shared, your friend needs to take three specific actions: 1. Report his blindness to SSA immediately - this is considered a change in medical condition 2. Request an evaluation for SSDI benefits based on his work history as a janitor for 20+ years 3. Ask specifically about concurrent benefits (receiving both SSI and SSDI) which may apply in his case Arizona does not offer a state supplement to SSI (unlike California mentioned above), so maximizing his federal benefits is especially important. When he speaks with SSA, he should specifically ask about the Blind Work Expense (BWE) exclusions if he has any income, and request information about any additional programs for which his blindness might qualify him. The difference between the standard SSI payment ($943/month) and potential SSDI benefits based on his work history could be substantial, potentially doubling his monthly income if he qualifies for SSDI at a decent rate.