Washington offers several disability benefits for people with low vision, including federal SSI and SSDI, state supplements, and cash assistance. Eligibility depends on medical severity, income, and work history. This guide explains how to apply and what support is available.
To qualify for federal disability benefits with low vision, your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work and must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the same medical definition for both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. In 2025, most applicants need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled. For SSI, you must have limited income and resources, regardless of work history. The SSA evaluates your ability to work and the severity of your vision loss to determine eligibility.
Washington State offers additional support for people with low vision through the State Supplementary Payment (SSP) program, which adds to federal SSI benefits. The SSP helps recipients cover the higher cost of living in Washington. The Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance program provides monthly grants to low-income individuals who are blind or have a qualifying disability, including low vision. To qualify for ABD, you must be at least 18 years old, have a health condition that stops you from working for at least 12 months, and meet income and resource requirements. The maximum monthly ABD grant is $450 for singles and $570 for married couples. You cannot receive ABD if you are already getting SSI benefits.
Step 1: Get a diagnosis from an eye care professional confirming your low vision and its impact on daily activities and work.
Step 2: Collect medical records, including eye exams, treatment plans, and statements from doctors.
Step 3: Determine if you have enough work credits for SSDI or if your income and resources qualify you for SSI.
Step 4: Apply for SSDI or SSI online at the SSA website, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office.
Step 5: If you are low-income and not eligible for SSI, apply for the ABD cash assistance program through the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Step 6: When applying for SSI, ask about the Washington State Supplementary Payment (SSP) to increase your monthly benefit.
Step 7: Submit all required documents and follow up on your application status.
Step 8: If your application is denied, you can appeal within 60 days.
Step 9: Report any changes in your income, resources, or medical condition to avoid overpayments.
Step 10: Consider applying for Medicaid waivers and ABLE accounts for additional support.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Monthly payments for people with low vision who have a qualifying work history.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Monthly payments for people with low vision who have limited income and resources.
Medicaid Waivers: Programs that provide home and community-based services for people with disabilities, including low vision.
ABLE Accounts: Tax-advantaged savings accounts for people with disabilities, including low vision.
Washington State Supplementary Payment (SSP): Additional monthly payment for SSI recipients in Washington to help with the cost of living.
Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Cash Assistance: Monthly cash grant for low-income individuals with low vision who are not eligible for SSI.
Medicaid Waivers: Washington offers several Medicaid waivers for people with disabilities, including low vision, to access home and community-based services.
ABLE Accounts: Washington residents with low vision can open ABLE accounts to save for disability-related expenses.
ABLE accounts allow people with low vision to save money without losing eligibility for SSI or Medicaid. You can use ABLE funds for disability-related expenses like medical care, education, and housing. Washington residents can open an ABLE account through the state’s ABLE program.
For SSI in 2025, the federal income limit is $967 per month for individuals and $1,450 for couples. Washington’s SSP may increase this amount. For ABD, income and resource limits are set by state rules and can change yearly. Always check with DSHS for current limits.
You must report changes in your income, resources, or medical condition to avoid overpayments. If you receive too much in benefits, you may have to pay it back. Washington is ending the requirement for ABD recipients to pay back benefits once they qualify for federal SSI, but this change takes effect in October 2025. Until then, some recipients may still be required to repay ABD benefits.
Washington is ending the requirement for ABD recipients to pay back benefits once they qualify for federal SSI, but this change takes effect in October 2025. Until then, some recipients may still be required to repay ABD benefits.
Yes, if your low vision is severe enough to prevent you from doing substantial work for at least 12 months, you may qualify for SSDI or SSI. The SSA evaluates the severity of your vision loss and its impact on your ability to work.
SSDI is for people with a qualifying work history and enough work credits. SSI is for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Both programs use the same medical definition of disability.
The federal SSI payment is $967 per month for individuals in 2025. Washington adds a state supplement to SSI. SSDI payments vary based on your work history and earnings.
Yes, if you are low-income and not eligible for SSI, you may qualify for the ABD cash assistance program, which provides a monthly grant of up to $450 for singles and $570 for married couples.
Yes, you must report changes to avoid overpayments. If you receive too much in benefits, you may have to pay it back. Washington is ending the requirement for ABD recipients to pay back benefits once they qualify for federal SSI, but this change takes effect in October 2025.
The SSP is an additional monthly payment for SSI recipients in Washington to help with the higher cost of living. The amount varies and is added to your federal SSI payment.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for personalized guidance.
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Yes, you can work during a trial work period and still get your full disability payment. If you earn above the substantial gainful activity threshold ($1,550 per month in 2025), you may lose eligibility.
You need medical records from an eye care professional confirming your low vision diagnosis, treatment plans, and statements about how your vision affects your ability to work and perform daily activities.
The approval process can take several months. On average, it takes about seven months to be approved for SSI. SSDI processing times vary based on your case.
Yes, Washington offers Medicaid waivers for people with disabilities, including low vision, to access home and community-based services like personal care and assistive technology.
