Social Security Disability Attorney in The Woodlands: The Purpose of the “Functional Capacity” Form

Part of the process of filing a disability claim or appeal is paperwork, and lots of it, as any disability lawyer in The Woodlands will tell you. One very important piece of paperwork is the “functional capacity” form, which assesses just that: your capacity to function in work-related activities, and with what, if any, limitations.

Filling out the form

This form requests a lot of information, and while it might not all seem important, taking the time to have it filled out properly and with thorough detail could mean the difference between winning and losing your case, especially if it goes to hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. At such a hearing, vocational experts will testify about specific jobs, and your ability to do them or not may be determined by the information provided on your functional capacity form. Your disability attorney in The Woodlands can help guide you in completing the form.

Assistance of your doctor

You will need your doctor’s help to fill out the form, and you should let him or her know that more information is better. If the answer to a yes/no question is “It depends,” then write that, and write an explanation in the margins. Yes/no questions expedite the system, but they don’t help you as much as detailed answers. With write-in explanations, the doctor should be clear and concise, but be sure to provide enough information so that the reader of the form understands. The better explanation, the more weight the Social Security Administration will give it.

Don’t worry if your doctor tells you something like “I think everybody, unless they’re bedridden quadriplegics, should be able to do some kind of work, even if it’s part-time or in a wheelchair.” That opinion is common and is, in fact, one held by many lawyers and judges who work in Social Security disability. If your doctor believes this, the information he or she provides may actually be more credible. But again, it’s critical that your doctor then be specific about the limitations and accommodations you might need, e.g. short work shifts, frequent breaks, the ability to lie down every hour, etc.

Call us for help

If you have additional questions about the functional capacity form or instructions for your doctor, contact disability attorney in The Woodlands, Dana Speer, at 713-857-2123.

Dana Speer
713-857-2123 Direct Line
877-373-5105 Direct Fax