If an applicant has severe hearing loss (they meet the requirements listed in the Blue Book), but they are working part time and making $1000 per month, do they still automatically qualify--similar to Statutory Blindness? Sorry, I'm confused on this one.

So, below the SGA, but they have a consistent work record.

I don't know.

I would question why they can't work FT if they can work PT if I worked at the SSA, but I don't KNOW that's how they woul proceed. I believe functional deafness would make it extremely difficult for many people to work, but there are some whom are able to earn SGA. The first person who came to my mind was the actress Marlee Matlin; she has certainly worked regularly over the years and I'm assuming at a pay rate most of us would be thrilled with. I think she is the exception, not the rule, though.

I'm guessing that the person was lucky to find one employer who could accomodate their hearing loss, but cannot find FT work because of their disability.

SS has percentages with and without cochlear implants required to qualify, but I'm unclear if it's like blindness (for example) that it's automatic? Maybe I'm confused about legal blindness as well, come to think of it? SS has a higher SGA for them... Must they lower work hours below SGA before approval? Or are they automatically approved and can lower hours after approval?

Well, Finz, you helped me realize my question wasn't clear enough even to me... Ty!

Rereading the 5 step process, I believe that the disability itself, even renal failure or statutory blindness, doesn't matter if the person is still working above the SGA level. Is this correct? Janke? Left handed? Somebody else?

Thanks in advance!

If you are engaging in SGA in the month of application or within 12 months of the date of onset of disability, your case is denied, even if you are deaf, paraplegic and with stage 4 liver cancer.