Using an RFC form to qualify for disability at a hearingRFC stands for something known as residual functional capacity and the term basically refers to what level of functionality a person possesses. When a person files for disability, the disability examiner who handles the case will have the task of determining what their RFC is. This is basically where the decision on the case gets made because the RFC assessment will determine A) whether or not the applicant can return to to their past work and B) whether or not the applicant can perform some type of other work. An RFC assessment is made by reading an applicant's medical records and then ascertaining both what the person is no longer capable of doing and, at the same time, what they are still capable of doing. For example, an RFC assessment will address a person's ability to lift a certain amount of weight, their ability to use their hands, their ability to stoop or to crouch. It can also address non-physical functional considerations such as the ability to concentrate, persist, learn, and remember. Not surprisingly, RFC assessments of what a person can and can no longer do are made on something called an RFC form. However, what may be surprising to anyone who has never worked inside the disability system (I'm a former disability examiner myself) is that social security never sends an RFC form to an applicant's own doctor. Instead, they have one of their own doctors---referred to as a medical consultant and assigned to a case processing unit with disability examiners---complete the RFC (which may, depending on the nature of the impairment, be a mental RFC or a physical RFC). While this may seem reasonable to some, consider the following facts: 1. Social Security doctors, i.e. medical consultants who work alongside disability examiners, work for social security. This is a redundant statement, but the purpose is to drive home a point. These doctors are not necessarily objective. 2. A social security doctor has never met nor treated the disability applicant that he or she will complete an RFC form on. 3. The vast majority of all disability applications---and social security doctors are involved in these cases---are denied. Now, consider this---wouldn't it make more sense for social security to send an RFC to the claimant's own doctor, particularly since this doctor has actually seen and treated the claimant? It certainly would. It might also mean that more claims would be approved. At the hearing level, of course, where the decision-maker is a disability judge and the claimant is often represented, a good disability attorney will have obtained a completed a RFC form from the claimant's doctor or doctors. And very often an RFC form at this level will have the notable effect of winning the case. Simply because disability judges respect the opinions of treating physicians and a claimant's treating physician is not in the employment of the social security administration. RFC forms tend to produce the best benefit at the hearing level. However, in certain cases, they can definitely improve one's chances of winning disability benefits at the disability application level. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: The SSDI SSI disability application, how to file Working and getting Disability See a doctor regularly when applying for disability Filing for disability with aneurysm Applyling for child disability, getting records Pain medication and applying for disability How many disability appeals are won and what are the chances? What do I need to give Social Security for a disability determination Applying for disability with seizures How to file for disability in Utah Help your disability case with a congressional inquiry Contacting Social Security about the status of your disability claim How to qualify for disability with depression How to file for disability in Indiana Denied Twice For SSD or SSI Disability, What Do I Do? Personality Disorder and Filing for Disability |
