If you are staring at the Social Security Function Report and feeling your stomach drop, you are not alone. This form looks simple at first glance, but your answers can make or break your disability application. The Social Security Function Report shows the government what your life really looks like now, and it does not leave much room for guesswork.
Most people filling this out are hurt, exhausted, and scared about money. You might already be worried about a future review of your social security disability benefits or how you will handle a hearing later. This guide walks you through the Adult Function Report line by line.
We provide real world tips so you can explain your limits clearly. The goal is to help you submit a completed form that honestly supports your claim.
What The Social Security Function Report Actually Is
The Adult Function Report, also known as Form SSA 3373, is a questionnaire the Social Security Administration sends to many claimants. You may see it called the Adult Function Report, the Social Security Function Report, or simply Form SSA 3373. You can access the form online and even type your answers directly on the PDF.
The Social Security Adult Function Report asks detailed questions about your daily activities. The point is to see whether you can reliably perform work activities on a full time basis. Social Security compares this to your medical records and to anything you say at a future hearing.
This statement collection process is a standard part of the review. The form allows the administration to gather facts to make a timely decision. It is designed to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, so look for the valid OMB control number on the document.
For many claims, it is common to receive the Adult Function Report SSA 3373 BK at the initial level. The person who reads it may never meet you. They lean heavily on these answers to judge what you can still do.
Why This Form Matters So Much To Your Case
Your Function Report does a few important things at once. It explains what a regular day looks like for a disabled person and gives concrete examples of what you can no longer do.
It also shows if your story is steady and believable over time. Social Security looks at your Function Report beside your medical records and your work history report. They also check it against any future hearing testimony.
If you say on the Function Report that you cannot sit longer than twenty minutes, but later tell a judge you sit for two hours, your credibility takes a hit. That gap can lead to a denial even if your medical condition is real. This form feeds into the disability decision at every stage.
Key Forms: Adult And Third Party Function Reports
There are two main types of Function Reports that often show up together in disability files. Understanding both helps you avoid conflicting stories. You want to make sure the person completing the forms shares a consistent account.
The Adult Function Report (SSA 3373 BK)
The main document you complete is the Adult Function Report SSA 3373 BK. This is your chance to explain your limits in your own voice. The Social Security Administration uses it to see if your daily activities match the limits that would keep you from steady work.
The Adult Function Report covers basic tasks such as dressing, bathing, cooking, driving, and housework. It also asks about hobbies, social life, and mood. These areas map directly to what the agency calls physical and cognitive functioning.
You may see repeated links for the PDF. It is safe to use the official copy found on the government website.
The Third Party Function Report (SSA 3380 BK)
Social Security may also send a third party function report to someone who knows you well. The Form SSA 3380 BK asks another person to describe what they see you struggle with. This might go to a spouse, adult child, parent, or close friend.
The third party form mirrors the questions on your own Adult Function Report. It is important that you choose someone who actually sees your limitations up close. Their answers help confirm or question what you have said.
If you are applying while injured, pick someone who has watched your change over time. You want a person who can describe the bad days honestly.
How To Fill Out The Social Security Function Report Step By Step
This section walks through the structure of Form SSA 3373 in plain language. You do not have to finish it in one sitting. Many people spread it over a few days.
General Rules Before You Write Anything
- Be consistent across every form and SSA document you complete.
- Describe your average and worse days, not the rare good day.
- Do not exaggerate and do not downplay your symptoms.
- Focus only on how conditions affect work tasks.
- Do not leave answers blank; use “none” if needed.
A smart trick is to complete question 20 in Section D first. That question asks about specific physical abilities. Once you have those details clear, you can match the rest of your answers to that picture.
Section A: Basic Information And Living Situation
Section A looks simple, but your living setup sends a message about your independence. It asks for your contact details and where you live. Many people rush this part.
Slow down and think about how things really work in your home. If you live with others, say so and briefly explain the help they give. If an adult child handles all cooking, that supports your story.
If you say you live alone when someone is actually there most days, it may confuse the examiner. Provide a valid office or home address where mail can reach you reliably.
Section B: Conditions That Limit Your Ability To Work
Section B sets the stage for your entire claim. List every medical problem that limits your ability to do work tasks. Use brief phrases.
Only include conditions diagnosed by a medical professional. If you receive ongoing care, list the condition. Even mild anxiety can matter if it affects concentration.
This section should line up with what is in your medical records. If you talk about back pain, your doctors should have notes on it. An examiner may doubt claims that lack medical evidence.
Section C: Your Day To Day Activities
Section C asks you to answer questions about your daily routine. Instead of focusing on what you still push yourself to do, talk about the cost. Be specific about your limits.
Include details such as time, distance, and weight. Explain how you feel after a specific activity. If you let the dog out instead of walking him, write that down.
If you heat frozen meals because you cannot stand to cook, say so. Social Security often assumes people under report rest breaks. Do not skip those details.
Section D: Detailed Abilities And Limits
Section D is the core of the adult function report. Question 20 asks about a long list of abilities. This includes lifting, squatting, bending, standing, walking, and sitting.
It also covers kneeling, climbing stairs, and remembering. This is where the SSA function relating to physical exertion is measured. Give clear numbers here.
Instead of saying you cannot walk far, say you walk ten minutes. If you cannot sit more than twenty minutes, state that clearly. Mention if you need a recliner or must lie flat.
This part also includes questions on mental functioning. Be honest if you lose track of tasks. This SSA function relating to memory is vital for your case.
Devices And Medications
Questions 21 and 22 focus on medical devices and medication. List canes, walkers, or braces only if you use them regularly. Ensure they are consistent with your medical records.
For medications, mention the ones tied to your disabling conditions. Be clear about side effects that limit form activities. Drowsiness can affect your ability to work safely.
You do not need to list every vitamin. Focus on what affects alertness or balance. Mention if medication causes frequent bathroom trips.
Section E: Remarks
The last part is a blank remarks section. You do not have to fill it out if your answers fit earlier. Many claimants leave it empty.
If you do use it, keep it focused. You can clarify something that needed more space. You might describe bad days for a condition that flares.
Avoid turning this section into a complaint about the system. The examiner knows you are in a tough spot. Stick to the facts you started elsewhere in the form.
Practical Examples Of Strong And Weak Answers
Sometimes it helps to see what a clear answer looks like. Here is a table with common situations and better ways to phrase them.
| Topic | Weak Answer | Stronger Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting | I cannot sit very long | I sit for 20 minutes in a straight chair before pain forces me to stand or lie down |
| Walking | I walk a little | I can walk one block on flat ground with a cane, then I need a 10 minute rest |
| Cooking | I cook sometimes | I use a microwave for frozen meals because I cannot stand at a stove more than 5 minutes |
| Shopping | I go shopping | I shop once a week using a motorized cart and need help lifting anything over 5 pounds |
| Concentration | I have a hard time focusing | I lose track of tasks after 10 to 15 minutes and forget steps unless someone reminds me |
Tie each activity to a limit that could matter at a regular job. Give simple numbers that any reader can picture. This helps the Security Administration understand your reality.
Data Privacy And Electronic Systems
When you submit this form, your data enters a complex federal system. The information is stored in your entitled electronic disability claim file. This file allows for efficient administration of the program.
The collection meets the requirements of federal laws regarding privacy and data use. Your information may be used in matching programs with other federal agencies. This helps the government check for issues like delinquent debts or other benefit eligibility.
There are additional routine uses for your data as defined in the Federal Register. These are outlined in the system of records notices. It is good to know that your claim file is protected but also shared for verification purposes.
All federal benefit programs rely on accurate data. The entitled claims folders are managed securely. However, the budget control number on your form ensures the version you are using is current, so discontinue prior editions if you find old PDFs.
How And Where To Submit Your Function Report
Once your answers are complete, look back through the form. Make sure you have not left answers blank unintentionally. Check that your story lines up with statements made to doctors.
If you are in a social security disability case in a specific state, local rules may vary slightly. If you used a paper form, you can hand deliver it. Use the Social Security local SSA office locator to find the nearest drop off.
Many people prefer this so they know it actually arrived. You can also mail it to the form office listed on your letter. In some cases, you may provide answers by calling social security directly.
If you need to do this, use the main phone number at 800-772-1213. You can also access the form online to print and sign it. Once the claim filed status is active, you can monitor the status of your disability claim online.
Updates on your entitled electronic disability claim can move slowly. It is worth checking to catch missing documents. This helps avoid delays in your entitled claims process.
Getting Professional Help With Your Form
Some claimants find the Paperwork Reduction Act statements and legal wording confusing. This is where a professional can help. A social security disability lawyer understands exactly what the judges look for.
A disability lawyer can review your completed form before you submit it. They ensure you do not inadvertently damage your case with vague answers. If you have a security disability lawyer, they will likely want to see this form first.
They can guide you on how to answer question 20 and others accurately. While you can do it alone, legal guidance often provides peace of mind. They help ensure your electronic disability claim file contains strong evidence.
What Happens After You Turn In Your Social Security Function Report
After you submit the Function Report, a disability examiner reviews it. They look at it alongside your medical records and work history. They also review any third party report.
If they decide they need more detail, they may schedule a consultative exam. This is an appointment with a doctor paid by Social Security. Try to attend that exam, even if it feels brief.
The review stage can take months. During this time, do not ignore your mail. Requests for more information have strict deadlines.
If your case is denied, you may need to appeal. Everything you wrote in the Function Report will come up again. Guides on how to win a social security disability hearing stress the value of consistency.
FAQs related to Social Security Function Report Guide
What is the Social Security Functional Report?
The Social Security Functional Report is a form that explains how your medical condition affects your daily activities, mobility, and ability to work. SSA uses it to measure real-life limitations.
Why does Social Security require a Functional Report?
SSA requests this report to understand your day-to-day challenges beyond medical records. It helps determine whether your symptoms prevent you from maintaining full-time work.
How do I fill out the Functional Report correctly?
Be detailed and honest. Describe how long tasks take, what you struggle with, and how symptoms vary. Specific examples help SSA understand your true limitations.
What mistakes should I avoid on the Functional Report?
Avoid short or vague answers, minimizing your symptoms, or saying you can do tasks “normally” if you can’t. SSA compares your report with medical evidence, so accuracy matters.
Will the Functional Report affect my disability claim?
Yes. It’s a key piece of evidence. Your answers help SSA evaluate how your condition impacts daily functioning and whether you meet disability criteria.
What happens if I don’t return the Functional Report?
Not submitting the form can delay your case or lead to a denial. SSA needs this information to fully assess your disability claim.
Conclusion
Filling out the Social Security Function Report is stressful. You are likely hurt, tired, and worried about bills. But this form is your chance to let Social Security see the real person behind the claim file.
It shows what it costs you to get through a simple day. It explains why steady full time work is out of reach right now. Stay honest and focus on your average and worse days.
Give clear limits in plain language to create a powerful piece of evidence. Use it to connect the dots between your medical records and your daily pain. That clarity supports your electronic disability claim.
You do not have to sound like a doctor to complete this form well. You just need to tell the truth in steady, concrete detail. One answer at a time.
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The information provided in this blog article is intended to be general in nature and should not be construed as legal advice. Social Security laws and regulations are subject to, and often change. Please consult the official Social Security Administration (SSA) website or contact SSLG for advice regarding your specific legal matters.