Blindness Benefits in Nevada: 2025 Guide

• To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes, and have enough work credits. Your blindness must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. SSDI is not based on income or assets.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people who are blind, disabled, or 65+, with limited income and resources. You do not need a work history to qualify for SSI. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step process to determine if your blindness is severe enough to qualify.
• For both programs, blindness is defined as having central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens, or a visual field limitation in the better eye such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.
• In 2025, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit for blind individuals is $2,460 per month. Earning above this amount may affect your benefits.
• You must apply through the SSA to be found disabled under federal rules.

Sources: SSA Disability Qualification, SSA SGA Limits 2025, SSA Disability Rules

• Nevada provides a state supplement to all SSI recipients who are blind. This means your monthly SSI payment will include both the federal amount and an extra state payment.
• If you are blind and receive SSI, you are usually eligible for Medicaid in Nevada. Medicaid covers medical care, including vision services and assistive devices.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is available to most SSI recipients in Nevada. SNAP can help you buy food without spending more of your own money.
• Nevada also offers additional services through county health and human services offices, such as adult placement, rehabilitation, transportation, and home-delivered meals.
• Nevada does not provide a state supplement to SSI for people with disabilities unless they are part of an eligible couple with a partner who is aged or blind, or if they live in an institution where medical assistance pays for more than half of their care.
• Nevada’s state supplement for blind SSI recipients is paid at the beginning of each month along with your federal SSI payment.

• Contact Social Security to apply for SSI or SSDI. You can apply online, by phone, or in person.
• If you are blind, you may qualify for a higher SGA limit and a state supplement.
• Apply for Medicaid and SNAP through Nevada Access Nevada.
• Gather medical records, proof of blindness, and financial documents before applying.
• Nevada requires a new account on Access Nevada to apply for benefits as of February 3, 2025.

Sources: SSA Apply for Benefits, Access Nevada

• Step 1: Contact Social Security. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit SSA.gov to start your SSI or SSDI application. You can apply online, by phone, or in person at a local office.
• Step 2: Provide proof of blindness. This may include medical records, eye exam results, or a statement from your doctor.
• Step 3: Gather financial documents. For SSI, you will need to provide information about your income, assets, and living situation.
• Step 4: Apply for Medicaid and SNAP. Go to Access Nevada and create a new account if you haven’t already. You can apply for Medicaid and SNAP at the same time as SSI.
• Step 5: Attend any required interviews or medical exams. Social Security may ask you to see a doctor or attend an interview.
• Step 6: Wait for a decision. Social Security will review your application and send you a letter with their decision.
• Step 7: If approved, you will receive your first payment and state supplement (if eligible) at the beginning of the next month.
• Step 8: Report any changes in your income, living situation, or medical condition to avoid overpayments.

Sources: SSA Apply for Benefits, Access Nevada, SSA Disability Rules

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments for those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments for those with limited income and resources, including people who are blind.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for most SSI recipients.
• SNAP: Food assistance for low-income individuals and families.
• Medicare: Health coverage for SSDI recipients after 24 months of disability.
• Work Incentives: Programs that help you keep benefits while working, such as the Ticket to Work program.

Sources: SSA Benefits, Medicaid.gov, SNAP

• Nevada State Supplement: Extra monthly payment for SSI recipients who are blind.
• Medicaid: Health coverage for most SSI recipients in Nevada, including vision services and assistive devices.
• SNAP: Food assistance for low-income individuals and families in Nevada.
• County Health and Human Services: Additional services such as adult placement, rehabilitation, transportation, and home-delivered meals.
• Nevada Access Nevada: Online portal to apply for Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefits.
• Nevada Bureau of Disability Adjudication: Evaluates applications for federal disability benefits.

Sources: Nevada SSI State Supplement, Nevada County Health and Human Services, Access Nevada, Nevada Bureau of Disability Adjudication

• ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save money without losing SSI or Medicaid benefits. Nevada offers ABLE accounts through the Nevada ABLE Program.
• You can use ABLE funds for qualified disability expenses, such as education, housing, transportation, and assistive technology.
• Contributions to ABLE accounts are not tax-deductible, but earnings grow tax-free.
• To open an ABLE account, visit the Nevada ABLE Program website.

Sources: Nevada ABLE Program

• For SSI in 2025, the federal income limit is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple. Nevada’s state supplement does not change these limits.
• The SGA limit for blind individuals is $2,460 per month in 2025. Earning above this amount may affect your SSDI benefits.
• SNAP and Medicaid have their own income limits, which are higher than SSI limits.

Sources: SSA SGA Limits 2025, Nevada SNAP

• You must report any changes in your income, living situation, or medical condition to Social Security and Nevada Access Nevada.
• Failing to report changes can result in overpayments, which you may have to repay.
• If you receive an overpayment notice, contact Social Security or Nevada Access Nevada to discuss repayment options.
• Work incentives can help you keep benefits while working, so report your earnings to avoid overpayments.

Sources: SSA Overpayments, Nevada Access Nevada

• Social Security Administration
  Phone: 1-800-772-1213

  TTY: 1-800-325-0778

  Hours: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday-Friday

  Website

  Apply for SSI/SSDI and get help with benefits.
• Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
  Phone: 1-866-998-2221

  Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday

  Website

  Apply for Medicaid, SNAP, and other state benefits.

• What blindness benefits are available in Nevada?

  In Nevada, people who are blind may qualify for SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, and a state supplement to SSI. You can also access additional services through county health and human services offices.

• How do I apply for blindness benefits in Nevada?

  Apply for SSI or SSDI through Social Security. Apply for Medicaid and SNAP through Nevada Access Nevada. You will need medical records and financial documents to complete your application.

• Does Nevada provide a state supplement for blind SSI recipients?

  Yes, Nevada provides a state supplement to all SSI recipients who are blind. This supplement is paid at the beginning of each month along with your federal SSI payment.

• What is the SGA limit for blind individuals in Nevada?

  The SGA limit for blind individuals in Nevada is $2,460 per month in 2025. Earning above this amount may affect your SSDI benefits.

• Can I work while receiving blindness benefits in Nevada?

  Yes, you can work while receiving blindness benefits. Nevada offers work incentives and ABLE accounts to help you keep benefits while working.

• What medical documentation is needed for blindness benefits?

  You will need medical records, eye exam results, or a statement from your doctor to prove your blindness. Social Security will review this documentation to determine eligibility.