N.M. Admin. Code § 8.281.400.17 - BLIND

To be considered blind, an applicant or recipient must have central visual acuity of 20/200 or less with corrective lenses.

A. Documentation of blindness: An applicant or recipient must meet the SSA's definition of blindness. If the applicant or recipient is receiving social security or supplemental security income (SSI) benefits based on the condition of blindness, verification of this factor can be accomplished through documents, such as award letters or benefit checks.

B. Status of SSA determination: If it has not been determined whether an applicant or recipient meets SSA's definition of blindness or if only a temporary determination was made, the ISD worker must request a determination from the disability determination unit (DDU). Eligibility based on blindness cannot be considered to exist without a DDS determination.

C. Redetermination of blindness: A redetermination of blindness by the DDU is not required on a re-application following an applicant or recipient's termination from SSI/SSA or medicaid, if a permanent condition of blindness was previously established or the termination was based on a condition unrelated to blindness and there was no indication of possible improvement in an applicant or recipient's vision.

D. Remedial treatment: If the DDU recommends remedial medical treatment that carries no more than the usual risk or a reasonable plan for vocational training, an applicant or recipient must comply with the recommendation unless good cause for not doing so exists.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.281.400.17

2/1/95; 8.281.400.17 NMAC - Rn, 8 NMAC 4.ICM.422, 7/1/03, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 24, December 27, 2018, eff. 1/1/2019, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXII, Issue 07, April 6, 2021, eff. 5/1/2021