Social Security Disability Benefits: Filling Out A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Form
Social Security disability benefits can provide a life line if you are unable to work. Unfortunately, getting your benefits approved is often a challenge. One of the problems consists of the number of forms required. Not adequately understanding the information requested by the Social Security Administration (SSA) can end up resulting in denied or delayed benefits. One of the most important forms is the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment.
What Is A Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Assessment?
You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits provided you have earned enough work credits and suffer an impairment that prevents you from working for a year or more. To obtain benefits, you will be required to submit medical records and forms through your doctor, including a Residual Functional Capacity Assessment.
Under Social Security guidelines, an RFC assessment is completed by your physician. It is required when applying for SSDI benefits in the following situations:
- When a medical decision is necessary;
- When you have a severe impairment or multiple impairments in combination which separately are not considered severe;
- When your particular condition is not on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments;
- When a spouse, child, or widow of a disabled person is applying for SSDI benefits;
- When an otherwise not severe impairment prevents you from performing work relevant in your current or prior career field.
What Is In A Residual Functional Capacity Form
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly one out of every four adults in the United States suffer some type of disability. Not all of these will be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Among those that are, the majority of claims will end up being either denied or delayed.
Providing plenty of documentation regarding your condition and making sure all required forms are filled out correctly significantly increases your chances of being approved for SSDI. This includes your RFC assessment. As your doctor will be the one filling out this form, you have little control over the process. At the same time, you can make sure they are aware of the importance of this document and are thorough in their responses. Information your RFC form should contain includes:
- Allegations you have made regarding your condition, such as your symptoms, your level of pain, and the impact the condition has on your functioning;
- The doctor’s observations and conclusions based on all treatments and examinations;
- Any diagnostic test results or other medical records that back up their claims;
- A full description of the limitations that result from your condition and the impacts they likely have on your life;
- Any work-related functions you may still be able to perform.
Let Us Help You Today
At Farrell Disability Law, we can help ensure your RFC assessment and other forms are filled out properly, increasing your chances of success in getting your SSDI benefits approved. Call or contact our Orlando Social Security disability attorney online and request a consultation in our office today.
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