RFC: WHAT IT MEANS AND HOW IT GETS YOU APPROVED FOR DISABIITY

RFC stands for "Residual Functional Capacity." It is the most you are able to do in terms of work-like activity--such as lifting, standing, walking, bending, crawling, etc. 

Social Security divides work into 5 categories: sedentary, light, medium, heavy and very heavy. Each category has a matching RFC. For example, a sedentary job requires you to be able to sit for a maximum of 6 hours per 8-hour workday, stand and/or walk up to 2 hours, and lift and carry a maximum of 10 pounds occasionally. If you are unable to do these things, your RFC is "below sedentary" and you are disabled. 

The maximum lifting/carrying abilities are gradually increased for light, medium and heavy work.  For example, a person doing medium level work must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Establishing your RFC is, therefore, crucial to winning your disability benefits. We try to use medical evidence from your doctors to prove that you cannot perform any of your past relevant jobs. Then, depending on your age, we may need to also prove that you can't perform any other work. If you can't understand why you were denied, it's probably because your RFC was wrongly decided. But you never know that.  Only your attorney or advocate will understand what really got you denied.

I hear individuals say, "I told Social Security that I can't stand more than 30 minutes and that I can't lift more than 5 pounds, and they still denied me.

The problem is, they don't go by what you say.  You must present acceptable medical evidence that PROVES your maximum RFC.

Call us for a free consultation. (256) 799-0297. We can often help.  If we can't get you approved, we never charge you a fee._
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The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806

CALL US:  (256) 799-0297    The call is free.

Email us:   forsythefirm@gmail.com

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