The Social Security Administration (SSA) will usually
analyze your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to determine whether you can
work if you apply for disability benefits. The RFC is a measure of the maximum
work you can do given your disability. Below is an overview of RFC and its use
in disability claims.
Exertional Limitations
The SSA uses your limitations as critical factors that
affect your RFC. Your exertional capacity relates to your seven strength
demands, namely, your ability to:
- Sit
- Stand
- Walk
- Lift
- Carry
- Push
- Pull
The SSA will evaluate these seven strength demands and
classify your exertional limitations appropriately. The classification has five
levels.
1. Sedentary Work
The sedentary work level applies if you can only lift 10
pounds at a time. Most people are best suited to jobs with lots of sitting and
a little walking and standing tasks at this level. For example, the ability to
work a desk job may qualify you for sedentary work.
2. Light Work
Light work means you can carry a maximum of 20 pounds. With
light work qualification, you should be able to do jobs that involve more
walking and standing than sedentary work. For example, operating a machine with
your hands and feet and reaching for things may qualify as light work.
3. Medium Work
Medium work increases the maximum load you can occasionally
carry to 50 pounds. You should also be able to lift objects weighing 25 pounds
frequently. In addition, you should also be able to walk and stand for at least
six hours in an eight-hour shift. Working in a store where you have to carry
boxes within these weight limits can qualify as medium work.
4. Heavy Work
Heavy work classification means you can carry a maximum of
100 and 50 pounds occasionally and frequently, respectively. Loading and
unloading heavy boxes (within the weight limits) from a truck may qualify you
for the heavy work level.
5. Very Heavy Work
The classification means you can carry more occasionally
carry more than 100 pounds and frequently carry more than 50 pounds. This level
means you can do almost any work that requires physical exertion.
Non-Exertional Limitations
Non-exertional limitations evaluate your mental abilities and
physical abilities other than the seven strength demands. For example, the
limitations consider your:
- Postural
abilities, such as bending or climbing things
- Communicative
abilities
- Visual
abilities
- Manipulative
abilities, such as holding things in your hand
- Ability
to withstand different environments, such as noisy environments
- Mental
abilities such as remembering things
Say you have suffered an eye injury that has left you blind.
You have a visual disability that falls under non-exertional limitations.
RFC Use
Once the SSA has evaluated your RFC, it will use the
evaluation to determine the maximum work you can do. In this regard, SSA will
consider:
- Your
limitations and their symptoms
- The
demands of your work, such as the weights you must carry in your daily
job, the hours you must stand, and the environments you must withstand
- Your
ability to meet your work demands
Consider a case where the SSA has evaluated your limitations
and determined that you can carry a maximum of 15 pounds. The evaluation places
you under light work classification. If your work requires you to carry more
than 15 pounds, then the SSA will rule that you cannot do your usual work.
Next, the SSA will determine whether you can adjust to other
jobs that don't require carrying more than 15 pounds. The determination
involves different factors, such as your:
You don't have a disability (as per the SSA's evaluation) if
you can do other work and such work exists. However, you have a disability and
deserve disability benefits if you can't do other work or the work you can do
doesn't significantly exist.
Any mistake in the SSA's evaluation can result in an
erroneous denial. The Law Offices of James B. Gillespie, Jr., PLLC, can help
protect your rights and ensure the evaluation's accuracy. Contact us
to review your
case and determine how to help you get the disability benefits you deserve.
