A blind DIB, CDB, or DWB claimant, age 55 or older, may be found disabled if they are unable to engage in SGA requiring skills or abilities comparable to those of any gainful activity in which they were previously engaged with some regularity and over a substantial period of time prior to onset of blindness or the attainment of age 55, whichever is later. If such an individual does engage in noncomparable SGA, they may be entitled to disability benefit status (SSA-831-U3, item 18B), but cash benefit payments will be suspended as long as the individual is actually engaging in any SGA.

A blind DIB, CDB, or DWB individual entitled to disability benefit status under the special work comparability provisions whose benefits are suspended due to SGA need not file a new application when they cease SGA in order to receive disability benefits. (This contrasts with the requirement for blind workers in regular “freeze” status only [CDB and DWB claimants are not eligible for “freeze” ], who have been denied for cash benefit purposes because of SGA, and who must, therefore, file a new application when SGA ceases in order to receive disability benefits.)

Under the comparability provisions, if a worker age 55 or older is determined to be statutorily blind and engaging in noncomparable SGA, the period of time beginning with first month of disability may be counted toward the waiting period while the individual is engaging in SGA. Therefore, if SGA continues for 5 full months or more, disability benefits may begin with the first month of Non-SGA. This contrasts with the requirement for blind workers in regular “freeze” status only [CDB and DWB claimants are not eligible for “freeze”] who must serve a waiting period after the cessation of SGA in order to be entitled to disability benefits.

Under the comparability provisions, if a CDB or DWB claimant age 55 or older is determined to be statutorily blind and is engaging in noncomparable SGA benefits would be payable effective with the first month of non-SGA.

1. 1. 

   Determination as to disability under this provision requires a comparison of the skills and abilities utilized by the individual in the period before, and in the period after, the later of either the onset of blindness or the attainment of age 55.

2. 2. 

   In order to determine a work-comparability issue, the disability examiner must know whether the two periods of work under comparison are SGA. Since the work in either one or both periods will generally have been performed over several years, a determination of comparability may involve some year(s) in which the pre-1978 SGA test applies and other year(s) in which the SGA test specifically for blind persons applies. The use of one test or the other, or perhaps both tests, may be necessary in evaluating a single period of gainful work, and may necessitate the preparation of more than one SGA determination in such cases. Apply the earnings guideline that is appropriate for the year in which work was performed (see DI 10501.015).

3. 3. 

   When the issue of work comparability occurs, be sure the file is documented with determinations as to SGA (using SSA-820-F4 or SSA-821-F4 as appropriate) for:

   1. a. 

      Each job which lasted 12 months or longer (not necessarily 12 consecutive months), in the 10 years prior to the later of either:

      1) the onset of blindness and/or

      2) the attainment of age 55; and

   2. b. 

      Each period of work after the later of:

      1) the onset of blindness, or

      2) the attainment of age 55.