When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits, the SSA will base your eligibility not only on your condition, but also how it prevents you from having meaningful employment. To determine the latter, the SSA will use a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment. This assessment will identify the type of work activities that you can do on a ‘regular and continuing basis’ in spite of your disability.

The SSA defines ‘regular and continuing basis’ as a full 40-hour work week, or the equivalent work schedule. If a disability is not listed in the SSA Blue Book, RFC can be used to prove disability. Practically all jobs require both mental and physical activities, and RFC impairments can diminish your ability to do both. The SSA considers the combined effect of all your impairments, which means that RFC can be the key to SSD benefits eligibility.

Basically, the SSA looks at four different areas of functioning to determine one’s mental RFC: understanding and memory, ability to interact socially, ability to adapt to situations and stresses, and ability to concentrate and perform interests and activities. Medical and nonmedical evidence will be used to determine one’s RFC. Intellectual functioning is another thing that the SSA will look at to determine your mental RFC.

It pays to know that most claims are approved based on RFC and not from satisfying a Blue Book listing. That said, claims that rely on RFC are typically approved only when the application reaches appeal level. To enhance your chances of getting approved early, have your case reviewed by a SSD lawyer.

Source:

Mental Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) in a Disability Claim, disabilitysecrets.com