For the purposes of a freeze period based on statutory blindness, the EOD is the date
the medical evidence shows, or we can make reasonable medical inference, the claimant’s
visual disorder meets the definition of statutory blindness. However, it cannot be
earlier than the date the person first meets insured status.
To establish the EOD, a claimant must meet insured status requirements at the time
the medical evidence supports a finding of statutory blindness. For either DIB cash
benefits or a disability freeze based on statutory blindness without cash benefits,
the claimant must be fully insured, but does not need to meet the regular DIB insured
status requirement (the 20/40 test or alternative for young workers).
REMINDER: You can establish the EOD for a Title II DIB disability freeze based on statutory
blindness even if the claimant is performing above the statutory blindness SGA threshold.
No cash benefits are payable, however, until work drops below the statutory blindness
SGA threshold.
NOTE: While you cannot establish the EOD before the DFI, you may consider the period before
the DFI to determine if the claimant’s condition meets the 12-month duration requirement.