What’s Blind Work Expenses (BWE)?

For many individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to statutory blindness, the idea of returning to work can bring both hope and uncertainty. Questions like “Will I lose my benefits?” or “Will working reduce my monthly SSI payment?” are common and understandable. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific work incentives designed to make working financially worthwhile for individuals who are blind, one of the most important being Blind Work Expenses (BWE). 

Blind Work Expenses allow eligible individuals to deduct certain work-related expenses from their earned income when calculating their SSI benefits. This means that even if you earn more money by working, you may still qualify for SSI payments at a higher rate than you might expect. 

Understanding Blind Work Expenses (BWE) 

Blind Work Expenses (BWE) are deductions that apply to individuals who receive SSI benefits based on statutory blindness. The SSA defines statutory blindness as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens, or a visual field limitation where the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees. 

If you qualify under this definition, you can take advantage of the BWE rule, which helps you keep more of your SSI payment while earning income. 

Unlike Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), which must be directly related to your disability, BWEs can include a broader range of expenses that help you stay employed, even if they are not specifically connected to your blindness. 

Why Blind Work Expenses Matter 

Blind Work Expenses were created to encourage individuals who are blind to rejoin or remain in the workforce without facing an immediate loss of financial stability. By allowing certain expenses to be deducted from countable income, the SSA reduces the amount of earnings that affect your SSI payments. 

This means you can: 

• Work and earn more without losing your SSI benefits entirely. 
• Offset the cost of employment-related needs. 
• Maintain better financial independence and stability while working. 

For many people, this makes the difference between being able to work confidently and fearing the loss of essential benefits. 

What Counts as a Blind Work Expense? 

The SSA allows many types of expenses to be counted as BWEs. These expenses must be reasonable and related to your ability to work, even if they are not directly tied to your blindness. 

Some of the most common Blind Work Expenses include: 

• Transportation costs: Bus fare, taxi, or ride-share services. 
• Guide dog expenses: Food, veterinary care, grooming, and licensing fees for a guide dog. 
• Reader or interpreter services: Paying someone to read printed materials or assist with communication at work. 
• Professional fees: Payments for services like income tax preparation, if related to your work. 
• Work-related equipment or supplies: Special tools, uniforms, or assistive technology that helps you perform your job. 
• Meals consumed during work hours: The cost of meals purchased during workdays can be deducted as part of your work-related expenses. 
• Care services: Payments for personal assistance that help you prepare for or get to work. 

This flexibility makes BWEs especially beneficial for people whose employment needs go beyond the traditional medical-related expenses covered under IRWE. 

How Blind Work Expenses Affect Your SSI Payments 

The SSA uses your countable income to determine your SSI payment amount. Normally, your SSI benefit decreases as your earnings increase. However, Blind Work Expenses help reduce the amount of your earnings that SSA counts against you. 

Here’s a simplified example: 

If you earn $1,500 per month and have $400 in qualifying BWEs, SSA will only count $1,100 of your income when calculating your SSI payment. 

This can significantly increase your monthly SSI payment and allow you to keep more of your total income. 

BWE vs. IRWE: What’s the Difference? 

Although both programs help reduce countable income for people with disabilities, there are key differences between Blind Work Expenses (BWE) and Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE). 

This distinction is important because it means that BWEs offer greater flexibility in what you can deduct, giving individuals who are blind more opportunities to balance work and benefits effectively. 

How to Report Blind Work Expenses to SSA 

To claim Blind Work Expenses, you must provide documentation of your costs. This typically includes: 

• Receipts, invoices, or proof of payment for each expense. 
• A description of how the expense relates to your work. 
• A statement or form provided by SSA confirming your blindness status. 

You can report BWEs when you: 

• Apply for SSI benefits. 
• Submit your periodic income reports to SSA. 
• Meet with a representative for a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) consultation. 

SSA will review your expenses and adjust your SSI payments accordingly. Keeping organized records can help ensure that all eligible expenses are properly deducted. 

Continuing Benefits While You Work 

Blind Work Expenses are part of a broader network of SSA work incentives that allow individuals with disabilities to work safely without losing their benefits too quickly. 

For example: 

• You can participate in the Ticket to Work program, a free and voluntary program that provides job placement, training, and ongoing support. 
• If your income increases and affects your SSI eligibility, you may still qualify for Medicaid coverage under Section 1619(b), as long as your income remains below your state’s threshold. 
• If your benefits ever stop because of work, you may be able to use Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) to restart benefits without filing a new application. 

We help individuals understand and navigate these programs to ensure they can take advantage of every opportunity available to them. 

Key Takeaways 

• Blind Work Expenses (BWE) let individuals with statutory blindness deduct work-related costs from their earnings, allowing them to keep more of their SSI benefits. 
• BWEs cover a broad range of expenses, from guide dog care to transportation and meals during work. 
• They differ from IRWEs, which must be directly tied to an individual’s disability. 
• Accurate documentation and reporting are essential to ensure your deductions are approved. 
• Programs like Ticket to Work and Expedited Reinstatement can help you maintain benefits while returning to work or rebuilding financial independence. 

If you or someone you know is visually impaired and would like to understand how Blind Work Expenses can help you maximize your benefits while working, we can help. 

Our team provides free assistance to SSI and SSDI beneficiaries who want to work safely, apply for benefits, or protect their payments while returning to the workforce.