Not all injuries or health problems mean you can’t work at all. Many people can still do some tasks despite their health issues.
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) refers to what you can still do despite your current post-injury condition. Think of it as a measure of your remaining abilities after accounting for your health limitations.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses RFC like a yardstick to compare what you can still do against the requirements of different jobs. If your RFC shows you can no longer do the work you originally had or any other job available to you, you may qualify for disability benefits.
In short, your RFC assessment helps decide if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits and whether you’ll receive financial help.
How doctors figure out your RFC
The SSA will review your medical records, test results and doctor’s notes to create your RFC assessment. Aside from considering your doctor’s statement about your condition and limitations, the SSA might request additional tests to gather more information.
The assessment looks at physical activities like sitting, standing, lifting and walking. It also checks mental abilities like concentration, memory and handling stress at work.
How limitations can make blue-collar work impossible
Even when you can still do some work, certain limitations may prevent you from working full-time in factory or other blue-collar jobs:
- Hand problems: Weak grip, poor finger movement or wrist pain prevents safe machine operation
- Lifting problems: Factory jobs usually require lifting 20-50 pounds, so a 10-pound limit can put you out of commission
- Standing issues: Production lines often need you to stand 6+ hours per shift
- Trouble focusing: Memory problems or poor concentration creates safety risks around equipment
- Bending limitations: If you can’t bend easily, you can’t reach low shelves or pick up materials
- Stress tolerance: Anxiety or difficulty handling pressure makes fast-paced production environments overwhelming
Additionally, if your treatments or symptoms require frequent trips to the hospital and cause you to miss a lot of work days, that might count against you, too.
Ensure an accurate assessment
Your RFC assessment directly decides whether Social Security considers you disabled, so it needs to be accurate. Aside from accurate and thorough records from your doctor, it can also help to keep a daily journal about your condition.
An experienced SSDI attorney who knows Georgia’s disability process may help you gather more evidence to support your claims so you can receive your rightful benefits.