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SSDI BENEFITS 2025: IMPORTANCE OF THOSE PESKY FORMS

Social Security disability is nothing if it isn't a paper chase.  Forms, forms, forms.  Are all those pesky forms really necessary?

Yes, they are.  In addition to the forms you complete as your initial application for Social Security disability benefits, you will be mailed additional forms that must be completed and returned.  These include:

FUNCTION REPORT:   This is a 14-page questionnaire about your daily activities and what restrictions you have in performing those activities.  Social Security will use this form to assess how active you are, what activities you regularly engage in and if you are restricted in performing some of these daily activities.  

WORK HISTORY REPORT:  This form asks for detailed information about all the past full-time jobs you have held during the 5-year period before you filed your disability application.  Why is this form necessary?  Because Social Security must determine whether you can still perform any of your past relevant jobs.  In order to do that, they must understand your past work and the physical and mental requirements of each job.  

 The Work History Report can be confusing.  It is tempting to leave out the difficult parts.  That's a bad mistake for a claimant trying to get disability benefits and nearly always results in a denial of the application.  Many claimants say the form "makes no sense."  But it has a very useful purpose and must be completed FULLY and ACCURATELY, including an estimate of how much time you spent sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, lifting, kneeling, crouching, crawling, etc.  

OTHER QUESTIONNAIRES:   Depending on the nature of your impairments, Social Security may mail you other forms asking for details of your impairments.  For example, if you complain of migraine headaches, they may send you a Headache Questionnaire.  Or, if you have seizures, they may ask you to complete a Seizure Questionnaire.  Failure to promptly return these forms on time is an invitation for denial of your claim.

The Forsythe Firm assists our clients in completing these forms.  If you are not represented, it is your responsibility to fully and accurately complete all these forms.

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THE FORSYTHE FIRM - Social Security disability representatives in Huntsville, AL - serving the states of Alabama and Tennessee in expert Social Security disability representation, including hearings and appeals.

Call for a free consultation.  (256) 799-0297

 



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