If you're visually impaired and work while receiving SSI or SSDI, Blind Work Expenses (BWE) can help you keep more of your earnings. Here's how this important work incentive works.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What BWE are
- Who qualifies
- What expenses count
- How BWE affect your benefits
1. What BWE Are
The basics:
- Deductions for work-related expenses
- Specifically for people who are blind
- Reduces countable income
- More generous than regular IRWE
How they differ from IRWE:
- IRWE: Must be impairment-related
- BWE: Any work expense for blind individuals
- BWE has broader eligibility
- Can include things IRWE doesn't cover
Why they matter:
- Reduce your countable earnings
- Can help stay under SGA (SSDI)
- Can increase SSI payment
- Make working more worthwhile
2. Who Qualifies
Eligibility:
- Meet SSA's definition of blindness
- Statutory blindness: 20/200 or less in better eye
- OR visual field of 20 degrees or less
- Receiving SSI or SSDI based on blindness
SSA's definition of blindness:
- Central visual acuity of 20/200 or less
- In the better eye with best correction
- OR visual field limitation of 20 degrees or less
- Even with corrective lenses
Different from general disability:
- Blind individuals have special rules
- Higher SGA level ($2,590 vs. $1,550 in 2026)
- BWE deduction available
- More favorable treatment
Important: You must meet SSA's specific definition of blindness, not just have a visual impairment.
3. What Expenses Count
BWE can include (non-exhaustive):
- Guide dog expenses
- Transportation to and from work
- Federal, state, and local income taxes
- Social Security taxes
- Attendant care services
- Visual aids
- Professional association dues
- Union dues
- Professional equipment
Transportation:
- Cost of getting to work
- Public transit
- Taxi or rideshare
- Vehicle expenses
- Guide service for travel
Taxes (unique to BWE):
- Federal income tax
- State income tax
- Local income tax
- FICA taxes
- Not deductible under regular IRWE
Visual and work aids:
- Screen readers
- Magnification devices
- Braille displays
- Talking devices
- Any work-related visual aids
Guide dog expenses:
- Purchase of guide dog
- Training
- Food and care
- Veterinary bills
- Related costs
Other allowable expenses:
- Work clothes (if required)
- Meals at work (if can't prepare due to blindness)
- Union dues
- License fees
- Professional certification
4. How BWE Affect Your Benefits
For SSI:
- BWE deducted from earned income
- After $65 earned income exclusion
- Results in higher SSI payment
- More money in your pocket
SSI calculation with BWE:
- Gross earnings
- Minus $65 earned income exclusion
- Minus BWE
- Remaining divided by 2
- Deducted from SSI maximum
Example:
- Earn $1,500/month
- BWE: $400
- After $65 exclusion: $1,435
- After BWE: $1,035
- Divided by 2: $517.50
- SSI reduced by $517.50 instead of $717.50
For SSDI:
- BWE can help stay under SGA
- Deducted from gross earnings
- Keeps you eligible for SSDI
- Or during Trial Work Period evaluation
SSDI example:
- Earn $2,800/month
- Blind SGA: $2,590
- BWE: $400
- Countable earnings: $2,400
- Under SGA—keep SSDI
Documenting BWE
Keep records:
- Receipts for all expenses
- Proof of payment
- Connection to work
- Organized by month
What to save:
- Guide dog expenses
- Transportation receipts
- Tax payments
- Equipment purchases
- Any work-related costs
Reporting to SSA:
- Include with earnings reports
- Submit documentation
- Claim all eligible expenses
- Don't leave money on the table
How Purple Helps
- Categorize spending
- Track BWE-eligible expenses
- Keep organized records
- Export for SSA reporting
- Clear financial picture