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7 AAC 40.140. Blindness. (a) An applicant for aid to the blind whose income is within SSI income standards must be found by the Social Security Administration to meet the definition of blindness contained in Title XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(2)). (b) An applicant described in (a) of this section may receive interim assistance under 7 AAC 40.375 if the department determines that the applicant is blind under 7 AAC 40.150. (c) An otherwise eligible applicant whose income exceeds SSI income standards but is within the income standards of this chapter, and who has not been found eligible for Social Security disability payments due to blindness must be determined by the division of vocational rehabilitation of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to meet the definition of blindness contained in Title XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(2)). (d) A person who received aid to the blind in December, 1973, and who has received aid to the blind continuously thereafter, is considered to be blind under this chapter if he continues to meet the definition of blindness in effect in December, 1973. (Eff. 5/12/82, Register 82; am 9/30/83, Register 87; am 10/1/93, Register 127; am 1/11/2006, Register 177) Statutory Authority: Authority: AS 47.05.010 AS 47.25.430 AS 47.25.455 7 AAC 40.150. Initial blindness determination. (a) An applicant whose blindness is determined by the department under 7 AAC 40.140 must be examined by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye or by a registered optometrist who has entered into a provider agreement under 7 AAC 43.065. (b) A determination of eligibility due to blindness will be based upon the results of this examination and other evidence provided by the applicant. (Eff. 5/12/82, Register 82; am 1/11/2006, Register 177) Statutory Authority: