Image of Ticket to Work Frequently Asked Questions logoAre you blind and receiving Social Security disability benefits? Do you have questions about employment supports to help you prepare for work and understand what may happen to your benefits while you work? Look no further for answers!

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Blindness, Working and Work Incentives: Answers To Your Questions

Jan 12, 2017

Are you blind and receiving Social Security disability benefits? Do you have questions about employment supports to help you prepare for work and understand what may happen to your benefits while you work? Look no further for answers! 

A Useful New Resource

Image of Ticket to Work's Frequently Asked Questions logoIn recognition of National Glaucoma Awareness Month and Braille Literacy Month, both in January, the Ticket to Work program is pleased to share a new resource about working and blindness. The resource, made up of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), explains available employment supports, including Social Security rules called "Work Incentives," that help people go to work without immediately losing their benefits. For people who meet the Social Security definition for blindness, the rules are more generous. For example:

  • For people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Blind Work Expense (BWE) deduction allows you to subtract the cost of any reasonable expense you need for work from your earnings.
  • For people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the amount of earnings Social Security uses to determine eligibility for disability cash payments (Substantial Gainful Activity) is significantly higher for people who are blind.

Other Key Resources

Along with this new resource, check out other resources related to blindness and Social Security:

For more general information about Work Incentives, visit:

If you are blind, receiving benefits, and ready to explore employment, connect with the Ticket to Work program today. We’ll be glad to help!

About Ticket to Work

Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.
The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward
financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

To learn more about Ticket to Work, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/work and contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (Voice) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket to Work Find Help tool.

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