New York State Blind Annuity Program

The Blind Annuity Program benefit is for legally blind New York State wartime veterans or the surviving un-remarried spouse of the blind veteran. The program authorizes an annual annuity payment of $1,395.36 ($116.28 monthly) per veteran/surviving spouse.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Resident of New York State Veteran has been determined legally blind (20/200 vision in the better eye with best correction)
  • 20 Degree limitation of field of vision

You must also have served on active duty (other than for training) for 90 days or more during any of the following:

  • April 11, 1899 to July 4, 1902
  • May 9, 1916 to April 4, 1917
  • April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918
  • December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
  • June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
  • February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975
  • August 2, 1990 to End of conflict

Alternatively, eligible individuals may have received the Armed Forces, Navy, or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, for participation in:

  • Lebanon - June 1, 1983 to December 1, 1987
  • Grenada - October 23, 1983 to November 21, 1983
  • Panama - December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990

Report of a Legal Blindness / Request for Information