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Blind and Visually Impaired Financial Assistance

Blind and Visually Impaired Financial Assistance

Our Programs

 

A man assists a blind man walking through a store

Supplemental Aid to the Blind

The Supplemental Aid to the Blind program is administered alongside the Blind Pension Program. It offers a monthly cash grant and healthcare coverage through the Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) program to eligible individuals to help them meet their basic needs. For more information about the monthly cash grant, refer to this eligibility chart.

Eligibility

  • Must be ineligible for Temporary Assistance, Vendor Care or Supplemental Nursing Care benefits (If found eligible for Supplemental Aid to the Blind, you cannot also receive Temporary Assistance, Vendor Care, or Supplemental Nursing Care)
  • Be willing to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
  • Age 18 or older, unless living in a State Mental Hospital age requirement is 65 or older
  • Provide Social Security Number (SSN) or apply for one
  • Live in Missouri and a US citizen (or qualified non-citizen)
  • Must not own resources over the limit for your household size (Refer to Appendix J for details)
  • Meet specific blindness criteria
  • Must not have a sighted spouse or parent who is able to support the participant
  • Must not publicly solicit alms (asking for food or money)
  • Must not give away or transfer property for the purpose of reducing resources to below the limit
  • Meet income guidelines that income after allowable deductions is less than the SAB consolidated standard (Refer to Appendix J for details)
blind person sitting at a computer with their guide

Blind Pension

The Blind Pension Program was established by Missouri statute in 1921. The program provides a monthly cash grant and healthcare coverage through the Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) program to eligible individuals who do not qualify for Supplemental Aid to the Blind or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For information about the monthly cash grant, refer to this eligibility chart. 

Eligibility

  • Must be ineligible for Supplemental Aid for the Blind and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits (If found eligible for Blind Pension, you cannot also receive Temporary Assistance, Vendor Care, Supplemental Nursing Care, HCB, or SLMB2)
  • Age 18 or older
  • Live in Missouri and a US citizen (or qualified non-citizen)
  • Must be of good moral character and provide a Blind Pension Moral Character Form
  • Must not own resources over the limit for your household size (Refer to Appendix J for details)
  • Must not give away or transfer property for the purpose of reducing resources to below the limit
  • Meet specific blindness criteria
  • Must not have a sighted spouse who is able to support the participant (Refer to Appendix J for details)
  • Must not publicly solicit alms (asking for food or money)
  • Must not hold a valid driver's license
  • Must not be a resident of a public or medical institution
  • Note: Medical treatment for blindness may be required.

How do I apply?

To apply for Supplemental Aid to the Blind or Blind Pension, you must either already have MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) healthcare coverage or apply.

I already have MO HealthNet

If you already have MO HealthNet coverage, you only need to complete and submit an addendum (English|Español).

You can submit the addendum in one of these ways:

I need to apply for MO HealthNet

If you do not have MO HealthNet, you must apply. Visit the Apply for Healthcare page to learn more and get started.

Apply for MO HealthNet

Questions?

If you have questions about your current Blind Pension or Supplemental Aid to the Blind cash grant, or you need help with your application or addendum, call the FSD Blind Service Center at 866-877-8155.

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