Blindness exists for purposes of establishing eligibility for AB when the central visual acuity is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting glasses.

Blindness also exists when the central visual acuity is more than 20/200 in the better eye with correcting glasses, but when by a rough test, a marked field defect is shown. A marked field defect is one in which the peripheral vision has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends at an angular distance of no greater than twenty degrees.

To be eligible for Aid to the Disabled, a person must be permanently and totally disabled by a physical or a mental impairment, disease or loss. A permanently and totally disabled person is one who has a major permanent physical or mental impairment (disease, abnormality or loss) or a combination of such conditions, which substantially precludes him from engaging in a useful occupation that is within his competence.

1. 1. 

   The terms “permanently” and “totally” are not absolute terms but must be considered in reference to the individual as revealed by the facts in his case.

   1. a. 

      The term “permanently” may be used relatively in the sense continued indefinitely as distinct from “temporary” or “transient” .

   2. b. 

      The term “totally” involves consideration of age, training, skills, and work experience of the individual as it relates to his particular situation in light of his impairment.

      The term “permanent” in the definition relates to the individual's impairment.

2. 2. 

   The term “totally disabled” means that all of the following conditions exist:

   1. a. 

      Total disability results from the permanent impairment.

   2. b. 

      The individual is unable to engage in any useful occupation that exists in the community and is within his job competence.

      1. 1. 

         Useful occupation includes homemaking. If an individual's normal occupation has been that of a homemaker rather than being employed in another occupation, she would be said to be unable to perform the duties of a job that is within her job competence if she were unable to carry out activities which make up this job. “Home Making” within the interpretation of useful occupation involves ability to carry the home-management and decision-making responsibilities and provide essential services within the home.

         The following activities are important to successful performance of the occupation of home making: shopping for food and supplies; planning and preparing meals; washing dishes; cleaning house (sweeping, mopping, dusting, moving furniture); making beds; washing and ironing clothes. In addition, if the care of young children is within the homemaking responsibility—lifting and carrying infants; and in an emergency, pre-school children; bathing and dressing young children; training and supervising children; accompanying children to community activities, to sources of medical care, etc. Also, if in particular settings primitive facilities make the following necessary to maintenance of the home—carrying water; carrying fuel; building fires.

      2. 2. 

         A person would not be considered to be engaged in a useful occupation if his only activity or work is primarily for therapeutic value or to meet occasional sales opportunity. For example, a bedridden person may do leather work and have an opportunity for an occasional sale.