How does Social Security Disability Decide if you can Work or Not?An SSDI (Social Security Disability insurance) or SSI disability claim will be determined on the basis of what an applicant's medical records have to say about their condition. The records are requested by a disability examiner so that the examiner can determine the following: A) what physical or mental limitations, or restrictions, the individual possesses and B) whether or not those limitations make it impossible for the individual to engage in normal activities of daily living, specifically the ability to work and earn a substantial and gainful income. This is, of course, a simplified statement of what occurs on a disability case. For example, in addition to gathering the needed medical evidence, the disability examiner will be required to rate the claimant's restrictions on a form and have the rating agreed to by other specialists in the disability examiner's unit. In the case of a physical condition, the examiner will fill out something known as an RFC form. RFC stands for "residual functional capacity" and it literally translates to "what a person is still capable of doing". On the RFC form, the examiner will indicate the claimant's lifting capacity, their ability to stand during a normal workday (8 hours), their postural limitations (how well can they balance, crawl, stoop, climb, balance, etc), as well as a number of other physical capabilities. In the case of one or more mental impairments, the disability examiner will complete an MRFC, or mental residual functional capacity form, which will likewise attempt to rate the claimant's remaining mental functionality. In either case, the disability examiner will have a consultant within their case processing unit essentially sign-off on the examiner's ratings of the claimant (assuming, of course, that they agree with the examiner's assessment; the consultants are, obviously, part of the examiner's unit to provide some level of oversight and to provide guidance to the disability examiner who is not a medical professional). For a physical RFC rating, this will be done by a M.D. physician and for a mental RFC rating, this will be done by a Ph.D.-level psychologist, or another M.D. who has practiced as a psychiatrist. As previously stated, the ratings that are given to a disability claimant are based on the information contained in their medical records. How does social security use this information to decide whether or not a claimant can work? By comparing the claimant's current physical and mental limitations to whatever was required of them in their past jobs. Social Security Disability Decisions and SSI disability decisions are both medical and vocational in nature. This means that information regarding the claimant's history of employment is used to help determine the claim, as well as the information contained in their history of medical treatment. Continued at: Social Security Disability, SSI, and Whether or Not a Person can Still Work 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: How much is disability in North Carolina? How does Social Security Decide if I am Disabled? How Does Social Security Decide How Much I Get For Social Security Disability or SSI? How Will Social Security Decide a Disability Case that's filed? Who will decide my Social Security Disability claim? Does Your Doctor Decide If You Get Disability Benefits from Social Security or SSI? How does Social Security Disability Decide if you can Work or Not? How does Social Security use Evidence to Decide an SSDI or SSI Disability Claim and Make a Decision? Social Security Disability review question about part-time work Deadline to file request for disability hearing If you apply for disability in New Mexico Getting a Disability Lawyer in New Mexico |
