What is Residual Functional Capacity

RFC stands for “residual functional capacity.” A professional evaluates the claimant’s functional capacity and documents that to the best of their ability. The mental or physical disability is considered in the award decision in terms of the claimant’s ability to function in their employment.

Winning an award based on a mental impairment alone is extremely difficult. Without a detailed RFC Form supported by extensive and documented treatment it is virtually impossible. The mental conditions listed by the Social Security Administration are found here.

Test: Has Your Ability to Work Been Impacted

Just as with a physical impairment or physical disability the issue is NOT whether you have an impairment or a disability. The issue is whether this impairment or disability impacts your ability to work. The form below is simply a starting point. It is crucial that your specific impairments be documented WITH an explanation of how your impairment impacts your ability to work.




Mental RFC Form

A mental RFC form evaluates the claimant’s mental symptoms.

A Claimant’s Limitations Will Address These Issues:

Poor memory
Decreased energy
Illogical thinking
Ability maintain concentration and attention
Ability to interact socially in work settings
Assimilate new information
Successfully engage in simple, routine, repetitive tasks

RFC forms completed by a treating physician with a long term relationship with the claimant can be more thorough.

Presenting an RFC from for you personal physician, or treating physician, who has known you for an extended period of time may provide a more fair assessment.

The “Treating Physician” Rule

Because your treating physician has a long term relationship with the claim the SSA gives substantial weight their opinion. It is reasonable to assume this physician is in a substantially closer relationship to the claimant and more informed regarding the claimant’s condition. However, it is important to note, that a physician RFC form is not the only piece of evidence and other sources of evidence may have greater weight.

It is very important for their opinion to be properly documented in comprehensive RFC forms that clearly states why a claimant’s various medical problems make a return to work impossible and are consistent with a claimant’s medical evidence.

RFC Forms Interpret Medical Records

An RFC interprets medical records with an assessment of the claimant’s ability to work.
Symptoms and test results should be interpreted for the benefit of the examiner.

Purpose and Benefit of RFC Forms

RFC forms interpret the medical records
This professional interpretation of the medical evidence explains the data
The physician can specifically address a claimant’s limitations

DO NOT GO TO A HEARING WITHOUT A RECENT RFC FORM THAT ADDRESSES YOUR ISSUES – WHETHER YOU ARE REPRESENTING YOURSELF OR YOU HAVE AN ATTY.

IF YOU HAVE AN ATTY YOU SHOULD HAVE AN RFC FORM SPECIALLY DRAFTED TO ADDRESS YOUR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS AS THEY PERTAIN TO YOUR ABILITY TO WORK.

When preparing a Mental RFC Form the first thing you should do is examine the SSA criteria found here.

The diagnosis most likely will fall squarely into one of these enumerated categories.

Medically Documented Findings Included: Be certain that the required medically documented findings are included in both the medical records and identified in the RFC Form.

Document the Restrictions Identified in Listed Category: Under the specific category enumerated you will find a statement which indicates that “at least two” of these restrictions. For example under the category of Bi-Polar Disorder which is found under “12.04 Affective Disorders” the findings must include:

B. Resulting in at least two of the following:

1. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or

2. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or

3. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or

4. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration;

Be certain that your RFC Form indicates at least two of those stated limitations and the medical records document that limitation.

A Mental RFC Form Documents What the Claimant Can Still Do Despite Mental Impairment(s)