How to Approach the Social Security Administration’s Adult Function Report

The Adult Function Report is a crucial document that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to understand how your disability impacts your daily life. It helps illustrate how your conditions affect your ability to work, perform everyday activities, and care for yourself. While the questions may seem broad, since they apply to a wide range of circumstances, the way you answer them can significantly influence the outcome of your application. Let’s explore the key sections of the form to help you complete it thoroughly and ensure your best chance at receiving disability benefits.

For more Social Security Disability videos, check out our Disability Decoded Series.

Section B: Information About Your Illnesses, Injuries, or Conditions

In Section B, Question 5, you’ll be asked to explain how your illnesses, injuries, or conditions limit your ability to work. This is a big question, and although the space provided is small, providing as much detail as possible is essential.

The SSA needs to know how your condition affects your ability to perform work-related tasks. For example, you may need to lie down during the day because of severe pain, or keep your leg elevated due to an injury that makes standing difficult. These examples help paint a clearer picture of how your condition limits you in the workplace. Don’t leave out any relevant details, even if they seem small – they could be key in helping the SSA understand your limitations.

Section C: Information About Daily Activities

One of the trickier sections is Section C, Question 6, where you’re asked to describe your daily routine from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. The form only gives you a small space to explain this but breaking it down by times of the day will help you structure your response.

For example:

6:00 AM – Wake up and take morning medication.

10:00 AM – Take a short nap to rest.

12:00 PM – Have lunch and relax or watch TV.

2:00 PM – Complete light household chores (if applicable).

5:00 PM – Rest or go for a short walk.

10:00 PM – Prepare for bed and take any nighttime medication.

The goal is to show the SSA how your condition impacts your entire life. Even routine activities like eating, sleeping, and personal care are important in illustrating limitations caused by your disability.

Question 7 asks whether you are a caregiver for someone, and this may be confusing. If you’re caring for someone who is entirely dependent on you (like an elderly relative), that may qualify you as a caregiver. However, if you’re simply parenting or assisting someone mostly self-sufficient (e.g., a teenager), you will not be considered a legal caregiver. Be sure to answer this question very literally, as it’s about how your disability may affect your ability to care for others.

Question 10 is another significant one, asking about activities you could do before your condition developed that you can no longer do. You don’t have a lot of space, so focus on the top 3 to 5 things that best demonstrate your disability’s impact. These could include things like working, hobbies you loved (e.g., hiking, dancing, fishing), or activities that were important to you. The point is to show that your condition is severe enough to prevent you from participating in things you once enjoyed or relied upon.

Section D: Information About Abilities

Question 20 in Section D focuses on the activities that your disability may affect. It’s essential only to check the boxes that apply to you and then provide an explanation. Again, the space is limited, so focus on the most critical activities.

The most critical aspects to highlight are sitting, standing, and lifting. Be clear about how long you can perform each activity before stopping to rest. For example:

Sitting – Can sit for only 20 minutes before needing to stand and stretch.

Standing – Can stand for up to 15 minutes before experiencing pain or fatigue.

Lifting – Can lift up to 10 pounds (equivalent to a gallon of milk), but any weight heavier than that causes strain or discomfort.

If your doctor has provided any restrictions (e.g., no lifting over 10 pounds), include them. The SSA values medical restrictions as they help clarify your limitations.

The Key to Completing the Adult Function Report

The most important thing to remember when completing the Adult Function Report is that your answers should make sense for you. This form isn’t about what someone else can do; it’s about how your disability affects your day-to-day life and ability to work. So, be honest, take the questions literally, and provide as much detail as possible.

If the SSA doesn’t feel that your answers fully explain your limitations, they may deny your claim or request that you complete the form again. That’s why answering all the questions carefully and thoroughly is vital.

Hiring an SSD Attorney

Are you ready to hire an SSD attorney to assist you with your claim?  An experienced, dedicated Social Security disability lawyer can help to answer your questions and help you with this form and other paperwork that the SSA requires. 

If you need help applying for benefits or appealing a denial, contact us today by completing our online form or calling our office at 800-949-2900 to get started with a free case evaluation.