Typically within a few months of applying for Social Security you will be sent some forms to fill out. These are very important, so don’t ignore them. These are work history and function report forms. You may also get a third party function report to have someone else fill out.
If you have a disability lawyer, I encourage you to consult with the disability lawyer to get assistance filling out the forms. What you write on these forms could sink your disability case.
When filling out the forms, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Be cautious that everything you write on the form is true and not over stated or understated;
- Be very specific on the work history report to ensure that all the tasks of a job are accurately captured;
- If you are only able to do tasks or hobbies on good days, this should be clearly stated; and
- Remember, if what you put on the forms is dramatically different then what you are telling your medical providers, this could result in a negative credibility finding.
If you need more time to comprehensively fill out the forms, request it. Most Disability Determination Services (DDS) offices will give you extra time if you just ask.