Residual functional capacity (RFC) for work is a critical aspect of Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits eligibility. The RFC is an evaluation of an applicant’s physical and mental limitations at work that are potentially caused by his or her disability. Depending on the disability you are applying for, your RFC will be evaluated using either the physical RFC form or mental RFC form.

Physical RFC form

When an individual applies for disability using the physical RFC form, different levels of tests are carried out to assess the individual’s working capacities. The work that one must undertake is divided into four levels: sedentary, light, medium, and heavy. The levels up to which an individual can do physical work determines the results of the physical RFC evaluation. The physical RFC will assess the “exertional” level of work an applicant can do, along with non-exertional limitations. Grid rules apply depending on age.

Mental RFC form

The mental RFC form details a person’s ability to understand, remember, interact, decide, respond and handle various forms of mental capacities. The mental RFC from does not set any grid rules regarding age, so every applicant is treated the same way during a mental RFC evaluation for work.

If no grid rules are applicable to a particular situation, the SSA will compare the level of an applicant’s RFC to the level of their previous job. If you have unanswered questions regarding RFC and your Social Security Disability benefits application, consult a Social Security Disability lawyer. Should you feel the need, the SSD lawyer can send out RFC forms to doctors on your behalf.

Source:

How Social Security Judges Your Physical or Mental Capacity (RFC) for Work, Nolo.com