WHY THE FUNCTION REPORT IS CRITICAL TO DISABILITY CLAIMS

Social Security disability is awarded base on a claimant's limited ability to function.  It is not awarded based on diseases, but on functional limitations.

The primary way Social Security evaluates your functional ability is by a detailed questionnaire that they refer to as "the ADL (Activities of Daily Living) questionnaire.  The official name of the document is the "Function Report."

The Function Report is an 8-page document with Sections A-D and it contains approximately 60 questions.

I understand the temptation to ignore this form (just not bother with it) or to fly through it quickly because you feel it is a waste of time.  This is a crucial mistake.  You should spend a lot of time with this form.  In fact, this form should be your constant companion for a couple of days until it is completed lovingly, comprehensively, thoughtfully and very, very completely.

The Function Report will ask you things like:

• Do you cook your own food? How long does it take you? What do you cook?
• Do you spend time with others?
• What are your hobbies? How often do you do them?
• Do you go places on a regular basis?
• When you go out, how do you travel?
• Do you get along well with others?
• Do you need help caring for others or pets?
• Do you need help with bathing, getting dressed, or feeding yourself?
• How do your illnesses, injuries conditions affect your sleep?
• Are there things you used to do that your disability now stops you from doing?

Social Security will use your answers to these questions to determine (a) how your illness or injury affects your activities of daily living, and (b) are your allegations of symptoms consistent and credible.

If your application is denied (about 70% will be), the judge who hearings your appeal with use this same Function Report to evaluate consistencies in your symptoms and the credibility of your complaints.  This Function Report literally stays with you from the day your file your claim until the appeal is decided, perhaps 24 months later in some cases.

If you are unable to understand or complete the Function Report in loving, comprehensive detail--get someone who can help you:  a relative, your pastor, a friend, etc.  If you are represented by an attorney or advocate, he/she will understand this form and help you complete it correctly.  But for heavens sake, do not ignore the form or (just as bad) fly through it checking boxes just to say you finished it