The FO will forward the disability claim to the Disability Determination Services
(DDS) for a stat blind determination when the claimant alleges blindness or a visual
impairment and:
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•
Meets only fully insured status;
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•
Performs above the non-blind substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit but below the
blind SGA limit (for SGA earning limits, refer to DI 10501.015);
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•
Performs above the blind SGA limit and elects to file for a Title II disability freeze
only (for blind SGA limits, refer to DI 10501.015);
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•
Files for Title II Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits (DWB) or Childhood Disability Benefits
(CDB) and performs above the non-blind SGA allowable limit but below the blind SGA
limit;
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Files a Title XVI disability application. No SGA limitation applies to Title XVI disability
claim based on blindness;
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Is currently eligible for Title XVI as a blind individual (BI), blind spouse (BS),
or blind child (BC) and files for Title II disability benefits. Due to the stat blind
duration and medical requirements for Title II, do not apply collateral estoppel;
or
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•
Is currently entitled to Title XVI and requests a category change to receive a higher
federal payment or a higher state supplementary payment. (For information on multicategory
claims, see SI 00501.300 and DI 26005.005.)
IMPORTANT: Do not use the non-medical complete (NMC) function for Title II claims when the claimant
alleges blindness or a visual impairment. Thoroughly review the SSA-831 Disability
Determination and Transmittal form for blind onset determinations.
NOTE: DDS develops impairment allegations in all disability claims and can make a stat
blind determination for a claimant that may not fall into any of the situations listed
in DI 11005.070D (in this section). These situations are unique because the non-medical factors (insured
status, SGA level, Title XVI category change) are dependent on whether DDS determines
the claimant is stat blind, regardless of any other impairment. For Title XVI presumptive
blindness provisions, see DI 11055.230.