Residual Functional Capacity And What It Means To Your SSD Claim

If you are not able to work at your job because of a medical condition, you may be able to get benefits from the government. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees this valuable benefit program, and allows you, if you qualify, to be paid a portion of your salary monthly. The ability to get these benefits could be placed in jeopardy if you cannot pass the medical condition qualifications. The SSA uses something called residual functional capacity (RFC) as a test of your ability, or inability, to work at your job. Read on to learn more about this important indicator of your medical condition.

RFC and your claim.

Since you can only get benefits if you cannot work at your job, the SSA wants to get information about exactly what type of work you were doing prior to becoming disabled. Since your work history makes up a large portion of your application for benefits, the SSA will take a look at that info and make a determination about what level of work you were doing in the past. This determination can make or break your claim; you must be able to show that you can no longer do work at the same level as you have done in the in the past. Not only that, but you must be unable to do that work full time and at your previously assigned shift and hours. If the information in your application is inaccurate, your claim may be denied, so take special care in filling out your work history section, that information is more important than you may think.

The RFC determination

The SSA uses a team composed of a medical doctor and a disability determination services caseworker to evaluate you using the below five work levels.

1. Sedentary: Seated work, but must also be able to stand and walk occasionally. Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

2. Light: Walking and standing frequently; the full use of arms and hands. Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds and to carry at least 10 pounds. You also must be able to do all work required at the sedentary level.

3. Medium: Lifting up to 50 pounds and able to carry up to 25 frequently. You also must be able to do all work required at the light and sedentary level.

4. Heavy: Lifting up to 100 pounds and able to carry up to 50 frequently. You also must be able to do all work required at the medium, light and sedentary levels.

5. Very heavy: Lifting up to and above 100 pounds. You also must be able to do all work required at the other levels.

Since getting approved can be so challenging, you may need the help of a Social Security attorney when it comes to file your appeal. For more information, contact a professional such as Paul F Guthrie.