Winning Social Security Disability or SSI with the help of an RFC formI got some very nice comments from Kevin who stated that he believes the RFC forms provided on SSDRC.com may have helped him win his case. I was gratified to read his comments so I have posted them here. This is what I usually say about RFC forms. They can be invaluable at a disability hearing (and if your disability lawyer doesn't at least try to get a completed RFC statement from your doctors, think about getting a new lawyer). However, at the lower levels, including the application for disability and the request for reconsideration appeal, there's no real guarantee of how effective an RFC form can be. Here's what I mean. When I was a disability examiner for social security, we routinely received supporting statements from the doctors of claimants. Typically, our front line management was of a mind to completely discount those statements. For the most part, DDS (disability determination services) will simply not give the same credence to a doctor's RFC statement as will a disability judge at a hearing. However, let me also say this. 99 percent of the time that we did receive statements from doctors at the initial claim and reconsideration levels, we didn't get a real RFC form from them. We received only a short, barely substantiated statement that said nothing about the claimant's functional limitations. In other words, it was practically useless. Had we gotten a real RC form completed by a claimant's treating physician, who knows? It might have actually made the difference on the case. This is why I believe the social security administration should send RFC forms to every claimant's treating physician. They won't, of course. It would cost more money (you'd have to reimburse the physician certainly, in addition to reimbursement for records) and more cases would be won, which would also cost more in benefits payable. Kevin's comments are below. "I used the form. It took a little effort on my part to have them fill it out but I believe this is one reason I was approved in (what I think is an astonishing time) of 107 days. Thank You once again." About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: There are many symptoms of liver disease Copd, emphysema, chronic bronchitis symptoms and causes High adiponectin levels linked with decreased diabetes risk The SSDI SSI disability application, how to file Anxiety Disorder and Filing for Disability Medical Evidence on a Social Security Disability or SSI Claim What to bring to a disability interview when you apply Working and getting Disability Contacting Social Security about the status of your disability claim How to qualify for disability with depression How to file for disability in Vermont Tips for filing a Social Security Disability Reconsideration What happens after you request a disability hearing? Which medical conditions will social security recognize as a disability? Does A Percentage of VA Disability Make You Eligible For Social Security Disability? Diverticulitis and Filing for Disability |
