When a person applies for Social Security Disability benefits, the agency must determine whether an applicant has a “disability” as defined in its regulations. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will gather and review numerous documents to understand the nature of an applicant’s medical condition and how it affects their ability to work or do other activities. One of the most critical of these documents of the Social Security Disability application is the Adult Function Report.
What Is the Adult Function Report?
An Adult Function Report (SSA-3373) is a questionnaire that allows the Social Security Administration to gather information about an applicant’s disability to help the agency determine the applicant’s eligibility. The report asks about various aspects of an applicant’s life, including how they perform personal care, social interactions, daily activities, mobility, and ability to handle basic tasks. Sections of the Adult Function Report include:
- The applicant’s basic contact information
- The applicant’s typical daily activities, including dressing, bathing, eating, and performing household chores
- The applicant’s social functioning, including how they socialize and adapt to changes
- The applicant’s ability to concentrate, focus, and follow instructions.
- The applicant’s physical limitations, including mobility difficulties, pain, and fatigue
- The applicant’s past or current medication or treatments for their disabling condition
Tips for Completing the SSA Adult Function Report
Social Security Disability applicants filling out the Adult Function Report should keep a few critical tips in mind:
- Provide honest, specific answers. Do not exaggerate or downplay your condition or how it affects your life, as the SSA will cross-reference your answers against your medical record.
- Make sure you provide consistent information throughout the form. For example, do not state that you perform specific activities in one section of the form and then claim in another section that your condition prevents you from doing those activities. Inconsistencies in your report can harm your credibility with the SSA.
- Focus on explaining your average or worst days rather than your best days.
- If you can only perform certain activities for short amounts of time, or if you have to take
- breaks while performing activities, be sure to mention that fact.
- Provide concrete, real-world examples of how your condition affects you, such as specific incidents where your condition limited you.
- Fill in every section; if a question does not apply or you have no information to provide, you can write “don’t know,” “none,” or “does not apply.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Adult Function Report
Frequent mistakes that SSD applicants make when completing the Adult Function Report include:
- Failing to read questions carefully.
- Not adequately explaining the additional time and effort it now takes you to perform daily tasks, such as dressing, bathing, or cooking meals.
- Omitting medical evidence and information.
- Not providing a detailed explanation of how your disability affects your ability to perform specific tasks.
Talk to an Experienced Social Security Disability Attorney in Oklahoma City Today
Are you interested in applying for Social Security disability benefits in Oklahoma City? If so, an experienced attorney can help you fill out and submit your Adult Function Report, navigate the claims process, and otherwise pursue the benefits you’re entitled to. Contact Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney and find out how we can help you with your Social Security Disability claim.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
