​State Blind Pension Program
and Moving to Independence

The Department of Human Services is dedicated to helping low-income families and individuals living in Pennsylvania move to independence through the State Blind Pension Program, which provides blind pension benefits for adults who meet visual requirements and other conditions of eligibility.

How to Apply for State Blind Pension Benefits:

• File an application at your local county assistance office or
• Download an application form from the Web (below) and return it to your local county assistance office:
  
  
• Application for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits (English version)
• Solicitud para recibir beneficios (Version Espanola)

If you need help completing the application form or need more information about benefits, trained county assistance office staff can help you.

Are You Eligible?

Eligibility is determined by your local county assistance office, but please keep in mind the following requirements:

• If your visual acuity in your better eye with best correcting lens does not exceed 3/60 or 10/200, you meet the visual requirements for the State Blind Pension Program.
• The combined value of your real and personal property may not exceed $7,500.
• Your annual net income, including the Blind Pension payment, may not exceed $4,260.
• You must be a resident of Pennsylvania
• You must be at least 21 years old.

You can also apply for other benefits using the downloadable applications listed above, or by going to the COMPASS web site, which is the online application resource for cash assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cash Assistance