Overview of Special Senses and Speech

The Social Security Administration may provide disability benefits if you suffer from a disability related to special senses or speech. In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, there must be a proven loss of function. You must be fully disabled and unable to work. A disability attorney in Florida can help you determine eligibility.

Listing of Impairments for Special Senses and Speech

The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines disability using a listing of impairments. For special senses and speech, the SSA will look at some of the following factors to determine disability:

• Loss of visual acuity - Remaining vision in the better eye after best correction is 20/200 or less;
• Contraction of the visual field in the better eye;
• Loss of visual efficiency - Visual efficiency of the better eye of 20% or less after best correction;
• Disturbance of labyrinthine‑vestibular function (including Meniere's disease);
  Hearing impairments (hearing not restorable by a hearing aid); or
• Loss of speech for any reason, with inability to produce by any
  means speech that can be heard, understood, or sustained.

Disability Benefits and Substantial Gainful Activity

In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, a claimant must be unable to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). The eligibility of disability benefits will be dependent upon this.

SGA is determined by your monthly earnings. If you are earning more than a certain monthly amount, which is referred to as "net of impairment-related work expenses," then you may be considered to be engaging in SGA.

Whenever the national average wage index increases, so do the allowances. For the year 2010, the monthly amounts are: $1,640 if you are statutorily blind and $1,000 if you are not blind. Federal regulations specify a lower amount for those who are not blind.

If you are blind, these amounts do not apply to Social Security Income (SSI); however, if you are not blind, then they do apply to SSI.

If you are deaf, blind, or suffer from any of the disorders related to special senses and speech, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. A qualified and experienced Social Security disability lawyer can help you determine eligibility and answer any questions you may have.

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