How to Determine Your Residual Functional Capacity

The five-step sequential evaluation process for Social Security disability benefits is not that complicated, but the fifth and final step of the process sometimes needs explanation by a Ocala Social Security disability attorney.

If you are not found to be disabled at the third step of the process based on the facts of your objective medical findings, and you and your Ocala Social Security disability lawyer have passed the fourth step by proving that you cannot perform your past relevant work, your case moves onto the fifth step. This is the most complicated step. At this step, the Social Security Administration will examine whether you are capable of doing other jobs that exist in the economy given the combination of your age, education and work experience.

To break this down further, you and your Ocala Social Security disability lawyer will need to consider how the SSA will perform the following steps:

• Assess your exertional residual functional capacity;
• Assess your age, education, and work experience into a category;
• Apply the Medical-Vocational Guidelines to your claim; and
• If you are not found disabled by the MVG, assess your non-exertional limitations.

Determining your Residual Functional Capacity

The SSA will first examine whether you would be capable of performing other jobs in spite of your condition. This is done by determining your residual functional capacity, or RFC. Your Ocala Social Security disability attorney will explain that your RFC is determined by your ability to do work activities on a standard and continuing full-time 40-hours-per-week schedule.

The SSA will examine your record, and look at your exertional limitations in order to classify your RFC into one of three categories:

• Sedentary work involves lifting a maximum of 10 pounds and carrying small items, and standing or walking for no more than two hours out of an eight-hour workday;
• Light work involves lifting a maximum of 20 pounds and standing or walking for up to six hours out of an eight-hour workday; and
• Median work involves lifting a maximum of 50 pounds and standing or walking for up to six hours out of an eight-hour workday.

To find out more about your residual functional capacity and how it will affect your claim for disability, contact an Ocala Social Security disability attorney. Call CJ Henry Law Firm, PLLC at 352.304.5300.