Page 89

MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 102 – Non-Financial Requirements Page |89 Effective Month: September 2018 102.09.01 DEFINITIONS Definition of Adult Disability The law defines disability as the inability to do any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. This means the adult is unable to do his previous work or any other substantial gainful activity which exists in the national economy. The adult’s residual functional capacity, age, education and work experience are considered in the disability determination process. Definition of Childhood Disability An individual under the age of 18 is considered disabled under SSI policy if that child has a medically determinable physical or mental disability, which results in marked and severe functional limitation, and which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months. No individual under the age of 18 who engages in substantial gainful activity may be considered disabled. Definition of Blindness Statutory blindness is central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens. An eye which has a limitation in the field of vision so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees is considered to have a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less. An individual’s ability to work will not affect eligibility based on blindness. NOTE: Throughout the remainder of this section, the term “disability” also refers to blindness.