Testimony about your Physical Residual Functional Capacity at your Administrative Hearing

The Social Security Administration or SSA denies the majority of initial disability applications. A claimant can appeal the disability claim denial by requesting an Administrative Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. One of the issues during a disability hearing is a claimant’s Residual Functional Capacity, or RFC. The RFC is a claimant’s ability to work after taking into account the claimant’s physical or mental condition.

During a disability hearing, as a claimant, you will testify under oath regarding your condition and answer questions posed by the ALJ and your Ocala disability lawyer. Since your RFC is a measure of your working abilities, when answering questions about tasks you can do, you should keep in mind what it would be like to do these tasks daily in a standard 40-hour work week.

For example, the ALJ or your Ocala disability lawyer may ask you questions related to your ability to sit. You should describe whether you have any problems sitting and how long you would be able to sit without needing to stand up, or take a break. The ALJ may ask you whether you would be able to sit at a desk, on a stool, or a bench for a long period of time without a break. If your answer mentions that you feel pain when sitting for long periods of time, the ALJ or your attorney may ask you to describe the pain including how the pain may be controlled. In addition, you may be asked if you can alleviate the pain or prolong the length of time you can sit by lifting a leg or placing a pillow on a chair for support, or by other methods.

Finally, you will be asked to discuss any limitations that your condition has caused. For example, you can explain what hobbies or activities you used to do, but have had to give up because of your medical condition.

If you are unable to work because of physical limitations and pain and believe you may be disabled, contact knowledgeable Ocala disability attorney CJ Henry to discuss your case.  The initial evaluation is free.