SSA Function Report: How To Fill Out A Function Report For Disability Benefits

Simply dealing with a disability can be very stressful on its own. But when you add in the copious paperwork that accompanies applying for disability benefits, it can start to feel overwhelming. This is especially true for applicants the Social Security Administration (SSA) asks to fill out a completed form, specifically the SSA function report. That’s because the SSA function report is 10 pages long, very detailed, and may determine the outcome of one’s disability claim.

But what exactly is the SSA function report, and what does it measure? Keep reading to learn how best to fill out this form to increase your chances for disability benefits success.

Filling Out the Adult Function Report: Key Takeaways

• The SSA adult function report is a 10-page assessment that, if requested, the claimant must complete.
• The SSA uses this adult function report, also known as the disability function report, as part of its disability claim decision-making process.
• The questions center around “activities of daily living” (ADLs), and how a person’s disability affects their life and work ability.
• The answers on an applicant’s function report may factor into the determination of their Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) rating.
• There are five major sections of the SSA function report. An applicant must fill out every question accurately and honestly.
• Non-compliance with requests to complete this form will lead to a denial of benefits.
• Because the SSA function report factors so heavily into disability claim decisions, it’s wise to consult a lawyer before completing it.

What is the Adult Function Report (Form SSA-3373)?

The SSA’s “Adult Function Report” (Form SSA-3373), also known as the Function Report SSA-3373, is a 10-page assessment that asks about an applicant’s physical and mental functioning. You’ll also hear people reference this form as the “ADLs” or “ADL questionnaire” since it measures “activities of daily living.”

Essentially, this form helps the SSA gather information about the practical impact a claimant’s disability has on their everyday life. It asks questions about an individual’s ability to function while performing normal daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and bathing. The SSA function report also asks about physical limitations, as well as how the disability factors into social situations.

Ultimately, the SSA is trying to get a picture of how a person’s disability affects their “normal” life. From there the SSA will expand their determination to how the impairment affects the applicant’s ability to perform job-related activities. This is important because the whole crux of a disability claim hinges on an applicant’s inability to work.

Why the Function Report is Critical to Your Disability Claim

The SSA takes function report data and puts it together with medical, financial, and work history records. The combination of these elements determines if a claim receives approval.

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of an accurately filled-out function report. That’s because this form largely informs how the SSA views your disability in relation to your ability to sustain work. If your disability limits your ability to perform daily activities or work tasks, it is crucial to detail these limitations clearly. If your limitations don’t seem to interfere with your daily life, the SSA may question the merits of your claim.

Understanding Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

Part of what the SSA function report aims to clarify is the applicant’s residual functional capacity (RFC) for Social Security disability. A person’s RFC factors into how much work the SSA deems them capable of doing. This in turn affects the degree of disability benefits an individual may receive.

What is Residual Functional Capacity?

The simplest explanation of residual functional capacity is that it’s the most a person can do considering their condition’s limitations. In order to qualify for disability benefits, an individual will need to demonstrate a serious impairment of their RFC.

Remember that to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, an applicant must be unable to work for 12 months. If your RFC shows only a minimal decrease from your Full Capacity (FC) then you may not qualify.

Your FC is how much you were able to do before your health condition’s deterioration. Your RFC is what you are still able to do at the time you submit your disability application. The difference between your FC and your RFC will factor into any benefits you may eventually receive.

Keeping RFC in Mind When Completing the Function Report

The SSA will consider the answers on your SSA function report as evidence when determining your degree of disability. It’s not the only factor, but it’s part of the equation.

RFC becomes a benchmark for assessing an applicant’s ability to meet the physical, mental, sensory, and other requirements of previous work. If the SSA determines a past job is untenable, then a person’s RFC receives consideration in relation to other work.

Keep in mind that you’re trying to show what your limitations are and how these limitations prevent you from working. This means in your past job and/or other types of jobs.

As such, it’s important to remember that your answers on your SSA function report matter. The SSA uses the information you provide to assist in their evaluation of your physical and mental health. It’s one of the SSA’s first tools to see if an applicant’s social security disability claim should continue on the path toward approval.

Steps to Successfully Fill Out the Adult Function Report

The Form SSA-3373 is 10 pages long and must be sent back within 10 days of receipt, but you shouldn’t rush. It’s absolutely vital that you fill it out completely and accurately as part of your Social Security disability application, or you risk losing out on disability benefits.

The SSA frequently rejects claims based on the information they receive in the function report. And sadly, you can’t go back and change your answers in this section. In other words, you really need to get things right the first time.

Considering that fact, you may benefit from speaking to a disability attorney before you begin filling out your function form. However, we’ll walk you through some of the basics here to help you understand what to expect.

Review the Entire Form Before Filling It Out

Before you start putting anything down on paper, it’s smart to read the Social Security Function Report all the way through. That way you can plan out your answers and not waste space with your responses.

You want your function report to be easy to read and give the SSA a clear understanding of your condition. The more concise and targeted you can make your answers, the better.

How to Answer Each Section of the Function Report

Though Form SSA-3373 very clearly outlines the information they’re asking you to furnish, it’s good to think through each section. Your answers may influence the SSA’s perception of your disability, so you should make sure your responses are accurate.

Here’s a step-by-step of the areas the function report will address and things to consider in each section.

Section A: General Information

This section asks you to furnish info like your name, Social Security Number, and telephone number. Very standard.

The part where it gets tricky is your living situation. Though you must answer this section honestly, remember that the SSA considers whether you can live on your own. If you require help daily but say you live alone, they may think you can easily manage your daily activities. So you may need to add that caveat with your answer.

Section B: Details About Your Medical Conditions

This section is only one question and it asks how your illnesses, injuries, or condition limits your ability to work. Accurately describing your medical conditions is crucial for the disability claims process.

You have eight lines to answer, though you may continue your answer in the “Remarks” section if you need more space. However, it’s better to be brief, even using bullet points if that feels more organic.

List only conditions for which you have a healthcare provider’s diagnosis and for which you’re actively receiving treatment.

Section C: Daily Activities

This section is very long and requests a ton of details about your day-to-day life and habits.

It starts by asking for a paragraph about what you do from the time you wake up to bedtime. This is meant to be a snapshot for the SSA of how you’re coping with the demands of your life. The purpose is to see how you’re functioning in relation to your disability limits.

As such, remember to frame all your answers within the context of how your disability affects your daily activities. Play up your limitations, not how you’re thriving in spite of your condition. You don’t want to overstate your disability, but you also don’t want to underplay how it’s affecting your life.

This section will also ask questions about your sleep, caretaking responsibilities, personal care, socialization, and hobbies. Some good advice here is to answer each question as if it were on your worst or average day symptom-wise. Remember, you want the SSA to understand how your disability limits hinder your life and habits.

Section D: Abilities and Limitations

This section focuses directly on how your disability affects you during very specific actions. For example, the first question asks you to check off if your disability impedes your abilities while:

• Walking
• Lifting
• Bending
• Reaching
• Kneeling
• Sitting
• Talking
• Hearing
• Understanding
• Concentrating

All of the above also clearly influence your work ability so keep in mind how these play into your job. It will also ask you to further explain each of the items you check, so be ready to give details.

Additionally, this section covers any assistive devices you now must use, and any medications you take for your disability.

Section E: Additional Remarks

This is basically the “overflow” section. If you run out of room to answer things elsewhere, you should clearly mark the answer’s continuation here.

If all your answers fit in the previously provided space, then you can simply write “no remarks” or “N/A.” You don’t want to leave any answers blank in your application. However, you also don’t want to use this section to give the SSA more information than necessary. This is not extra space to try and convince the SSA as to why you should receive benefits.

Tips for Accurately Filling Out the Function Report

Beyond the “how to” for filling out your SSA function report, there are also ways to enhance your application for Social Security disability benefits. Here are some of the best tips for getting this step right.

Be Honest and Avoid Exaggeration

The first rule when you’re filling out a SSA function report is to complete things accurately and honestly. Do not make up or exaggerate stories about your disability thinking it will help your case. Remember, the SSA also looks at your medical records and other documentation. So, if your function report seems way off-base or too extreme, they’ll question your truthfulness.

Be Specific in Your Descriptions

The language you use in your answers can really help paint a clearer picture for the SSA. As such, you want to make sure you’re very specific in descriptions of how your disability affects you.

For example, one question asks “How often do you shop and how long does it take?”

You might want to answer something like: “Once a week, for about 20 minutes.”

However, a better and more specific description would be: “Someone drives me to the grocery store once per week. I cannot push the cart or carry my own bags. We limit the excursion to 20 minutes after which I am too tired to continue.”

You can see how the second answer will give the SSA a much clearer idea of your limitations. Even though both answers are technically the same, the second one really illustrates the disability.

Provide Consistent Information Throughout the Form

Consistency is key! The SSA will look for answers that contradict each other. Try to give answers that support each other instead — not just on your function report but across all your forms.

For example, let’s say you claim to have trouble walking. But then in another question you write “I walk two miles to the grocery store once a week.” The SSA will see this as a clear red flag and contradiction. Even if it’s true, and you can’t walk at all for the rest of the week after that.

This is probably one of the most important pieces of advice for filling out your application. You want to make sure all your answers align and provide the same story. Otherwise, the SSA may once again question the veracity of your claim.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Never leave any questions blank. You just may not have a response, but the SSA could interpret that as an incomplete application. At the very least, always write in “N/A.”

Also, only answer the question the SSA is asking you. It’s tempting to offer more information than necessary, but it won’t help your cause. The SSA only wants to assess your eligibility for benefits and giving too much unrelated information confuses that point.

Brief and accurate answers are your best bet.

Double-Check for Errors Before Submission

Once you complete your SSA function report, double-check it a few times.

Look for mistakes in consistency. Also, make sure you didn’t accidentally skip any answers. And don’t forget to fill out the very last part. It asks for the name and address of the person completing the form, and the date of completion.

This is your one shot to make your case, and the SSA will appreciate your attention to detail.

How to Submit Your Function Report

When you feel confident your SSA function report is complete, you have several options for how to submit it.

• If you have a claim going online, the most efficient way may be to file through the SSA website. 
• If you printed out a physical version, you can drop it off in person at your local SSA office. 
• You also have the option to call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and give them your answers over the phone.
• Finally, if you have a specific request from a Disability Determination Services (DDS) rep, you may Fax the form back.

Make sure to include the provided barcoded cover sheet if they supply you with one.

What Happens After Submitting the Function Report

Once all the pieces of your application are on file — including your function report — the SSA will review your claim.

Unfortunately, it usually takes months for you to get a final answer. And there isn’t much you can do to accelerate the process. However, you can check your claim’s status through the SSA online portal.

It’s also possible you may receive requests for additional documentation. In some cases, you may need to submit to a “Consultative Examination” (CE) with a doctor of the SSA’s choosing. This type of medical exam is not to provide treatment, but rather to further assess your disability.

Your best course of action is to respond quickly to any additional requests from the SSA. You don’t want to do anything that will delay your decision.

How to Get Help Filling Out the Adult Function Report

If you need help completing Form SSA-3373, the SSA suggests you do what you can yourself and then call them. You can request help from the contact person who is asking you to remit this form. Simply call the number on the letter sent to you with the form, or call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213.

However, knowing the importance of filling out this form correctly, you may prefer to speak with a disability lawyer. They can also help you understand the differences between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), ensuring you apply for the benefits that best fit your situation.

Work With a Disability Attorney for Help Filling Out the Form

Having the support of an attorney familiar with the SSA’s disability review process can markedly increase your chances of approval. They’ll not only help you complete your SSA function report accurately, they can also guide you through the entire process. Also, since disability lawyers work on contingency, you won’t pay a cent unless your claim is successful. Make sure you get the help you need so you can get the benefits you deserve.