A key aspect of applying for Social Security Disability is the Residual Functional Capacity Assessment (RFC Assessment). This is used to derive proof of medical conditions that would warrant a successful claim for Social Security Disability. The RFC assessment is another “make it or break it” phase in the Social Security Disability application process. It focuses on the impairments of the applicant and can be broken down into 2 different categories:
⦁ RFC Assessment for Physical Impairment
⦁ RFC Assessment for Psychological, Psychiatric, or Cognitive Impairments
RFC Assessment for Physical Impairment
Social Security will decide what type of work (if any) an applicant can do. The range is medium, light, or sedentary work. This is achieved by looking at the functional limitations that are available in the applicant’s medical records. Examples of this include being unable to walk for more than a couple of hours or being restricted from lifting more than 20 pounds.
RFC Assessment for Psychological, Psychiatric, or Cognitive Impairments
RFC Assessment for psychological, psychiatric, or cognitive impairments assesses whether the Social Security Disability claim applicant possesses a range of mental-based abilities which included the following:
Social Security will decide whether the person can do semi-skilled work, unskilled work, or less than unskilled work. This outcome will ultimately affect the applicant claim and determine their eligibility for Social Security Disability.