Welfare Info

Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind

Independent living services for older blind persons aims to support individuals aged 55 or older, whose recent visual impairment makes competitive employment extremely difficult to obtain, but for whom independent living goals are feasible. The goal ...

What is Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind?

Grants are made to states to support services for individuals age 55 or older whose severe visual impairment makes competitive employment difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible.

Independent living services for older blind persons aims to support individuals whose recent visual impairment makes competitive employment extremely difficult to obtain, but for whom independent living goals are feasible.

The goal of this program is to assist such persons to correct blindness or visual impairment, or help them adjust to their blindness by increasing their ability to care for their individual needs.

Program Requirements

Who may apply: State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies serving individuals who are blind.

Who benefits: Individuals age 55 or older who have severe visual impairment.


In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must have a disability, you or a family/household member must be blind, you must be over the age of 55 years, and your disability must prevent you from either holding a job (full-time or part-time) or from functioning independently in the family or community.

Application Details

What is the application process for Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind?

For more information, individuals should contact their state rehabilitation agency for independent living services.

For state vocational rehabilitation agencies interested in applying, please contact the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.