UPM 2535.05 - Basis for Blindness

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICESPRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 10-1-00 Transmittal: UP-00-22 2535.05 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Categorical Eligibility Requirements POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: Blindness AABD _______________________________________________________________ MAABD Subject: Basis for Blindness ______________________________________________________________________________

2535.05 A. In order to be eligible for the State Supplement or related Medicaid on the basis of blindness, the individual must be blind as determined by the Department. The individual must be found to have:

1. total loss of sight in both eyes; or

2. visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60 metric) or less in the better eye, after correction to the best acuity obtainable with ophthalmic lenses; or

3. visual fields restricted to 20 degrees or less in the widest diameter, without regard to the amount of visual acuity; or

4. a visual impairment as described in paragraph C below.

B. Except as provided in paragraph C below, the medical criteria the Department uses for determining blindness are the same as those for evaluating blindness under SSI.

C. Under the Medicaid coverage group "Working Individuals with Disabilities," the individual must have a medically determinable impairment. However, the individual's ability to perform substantial gainful activity has no effect on the disability determination (Cross Reference: 2540.85).