Step 1

Review the applicant’s Social Security status.

If the applicant has been determined eligible for either Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on the basis of blindness or a visual impairment, you do not need additional medical information for purposes of determining eligibility. (You may need it, however, for vocational planning.)

Social Security transmittals or a copy of the applicant’s award letter which indicates that a person has been declared eligible for Social Security benefits on the basis of blindness or a visual impairment are considered sufficient evidence that the person has a disability. If the applicant does not have the necessary documentation, the Department can request the information from the SSA.

Notes:
The Department only submits requests for information to the SSA once a month.

The Department only automatically requests SSA information if the application indicates that applicant is receiving Social Security Disability or SSI.

Step 2

Review the applicant’s Health Assessment questionnaire and / or existing medical records.

• If the applicant’s responses to the general Health Assessment Questionnaire do not indicate any health problems, no general medical reports are necessary.
   
• If the individual was a previous client and sufficient eye and medical information exists in his / her previous case file, you do not need to obtain additional information. Have this information copied and placed in the new case file.
   
• If the individual was a previous client and filed information is obsolete or absent, find out whether the individual’s physician(s) have current eye and medical information on file. You can get reports from these sources with a signed release from the applicant.
   
• If no accurate or current information is available, you may need to authorize exams by appropriate professionals. In your request for eye exams, ask eye doctor to report on “Best Corrected Acuity.” (For more information, review the Department’s Policy on Scheduling Exams and the Authorizations chapter.)
   
• If the applicant has a medical condition which may impact the rehabilitation process, decide whether additional medical information is necessary. Substance abuse and secondary disabilities such as hearing loss, diabetes, and mental or emotional disorders can have major impacts on long-range planning. Therefore, you will need to gather appropriate information from specialists if these conditions exist. (For more information, review the Department’s Policy on Scheduling Exams.)

Step 3

Determine whether the applicant has diabetes. If so, obtain a report from his / her diabetes specialist.

Note: The Department contracts with medical consultants to evaluate and interpret eye and medical reports from other sources. If you don’t understand the information in a report, or need clarification on borderline cases, you can request that the consultant interpret it for you. Route it through the support staff and flag it for review.

Step 4

Determine whether a hearing screening is necessary.

Hearing screenings are mandatory in some cases. These include the following situations:

• Physical conditions, such as retinitis pigmentosa, which are associated with hearing loss.
   
• When the applicant is taking medication, such as high doses of toxic antibiotics, whose side effect can be hearing loss.
   
• The applicant is currently wearing hearing aids or has a history of hearing loss.

Step 5

Determine whether the applicant has a history of substance abuse.

If the applicant has a history of substance abuse, or if you believe he might, refer to the Department’s policy on substance abuse for details.

Step 6

Determine whether the applicant has a history of mental or emotional disorders.

If the applicant has mental or emotional disorders, obtain appropriate reports from a physician skilled in diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, or by a psychologist licensed by the state.

Step 7

Review applicant’s vocational and educational history.

• Complete the Work History form as appropriate.
   
• Obtain additional information such as Individualized Education Plans, grade transcripts, college test scores (ACT, GRE, GMAT, etc.), and related information.

Step 8

If, at this point, you have determined that reports or new exams are needed, provide instructions to support staff on sending out authorization letters for medical and eye exams and / or request for reports.

Step 9

Determine whether an assessment for rehabilitation technology services is needed. If so, arrange an appointment with the Department’s Rehabilitation Technology Specialist.

Step 10

Evaluate all evidence and information gathered carefully to determine eligibility. Be prepared to justify your eligibility determination in the Eligibility case note.