Residual Functional Capacity Form

For those who do not know, a Social Security Disability claimant's Residual Functional Capacity is just what it sounds like: an estimation, made by a DDS physician and/or psychologist/psychiatrist, of the applicant's remaining ability to work, taking into account her physical or psychological disability. For the very reason you suggest, many attorneys who do disability work insist on having their clients obtain a Residual Functional Capacity report from their doctor, especially at the appeals level of the application process. Many attorneys also share a distrust of the RFC form available from the SSA, because they believe it does not allow the applicant to present all relevant information in a compelling manner.

So, yes, if you can find a good Residual Functional Capacity form on the Internet, you should present it to your doctor and ask her to help you explain your disability. As always, especially at the appeals level, I encourage you to talk to an attorney who does SSDI work.  They almost all offer free consultations and can help make the process much easier for you.  You have sixty days to file your SSDI appeal, measured from the date you receive your Social Security Disability denial.   Good luck.