MO HB1835

Repeals and reenacts section 209.040 of Missouri Revised Statutes relating to blind pension benefit requirements

Exempts persons determined by qualified eye care professionals to have no usable vision from the five-year vision re-examination requirement for continued pension eligibility

Maintains existing vision standards requiring vision no better than 5/200 or a visual field of 5 degrees to qualify for blind pension benefits

Requires initial vision certification from an ophthalmologist, physician skilled in eye disease, or optometrist approved by the Department of Social Services

Establishes monthly pension amount of at least $340, with increases determined by 75 percent of annual growth in the blind pension fund divided by number of eligible recipients