Why You Need It and How It Can Help You
When applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, providing detailed evidence of your limitations and how your condition affects your ability to work and perform daily activities is crucial. One key piece of evidence that can support your claim is a Third-Party Function Report. This document, while often overlooked, plays a significant role in illustrating the impact your disability has on your life from an outsider’s perspective, someone who knows you well and can speak to how your condition affects you.
What is a Third-Party Function Report?
A Third-Party Function Report is a form completed by someone who knows you well and can provide an objective perspective on how your condition limits your daily functioning. This person is typically a family member, close friend, neighbor, or coworker who can share how your medical condition impacts your ability to perform tasks around the house, take care of personal needs, or interact socially.
The person filling out the report will be asked to describe your abilities and limitations in a variety of areas. This form is usually filled out online or on paper as part of your disability application and it serves as a supplement to your medical records, personal testimony, and other evidence.
Why Would I Need a Third-Party Function Report?
Many applicants wonder why they need a third-party report if they’ve already submitted medical records as well as their own description of their condition. The answer lies in the need for objective, real-world examples of how your condition affects your daily life.
Here’s why a third-party function report is essential:
- Provides an Outside Perspective. Sometimes, your personal description of your limitations may not fully capture the full picture or severity of your disability. A third-party function report offers a neutral account from someone who has witnessed firsthand how your condition impacts you. This outside perspective can be especially useful when the SSA needs more information and insight to evaluate your ability to perform work-related or daily activities.
- Strengthens Your Claim. The more documentation and evidence you provide about your limitations regarding your ability to work and live independently, the stronger your case will be. A third-party report adds weight to your claim by verifying your statements with the observations of someone who knows you well.
- Clarifies Functional Limitations. The SSA wants to understand not just what your medical diagnosis is, but how it affects your functionality. A third-party function report can break down your difficulties with specific tasks. This helps the SSA evaluators better understand how your disability interferes with your life. (Insert anxiety b image) For example, the person filling out the form may note that you are no longer able to attend social gatherings due to severe anxiety. This detailed information can be crucial in showing the SSA how your condition impairs your ability to live a normal life.
- Supports Your Medical Evidence. Although medical records are vital to your SSD claim, they might not provide enough detail on the practical implications of your disability. A third-party function report complements medical records by providing examples of how your disability affects your day-to-day activities.
- Helps Your Case in Case of Appeals. If your initial SSD claim is denied, the third-party function report can become even more important when you appeal the decision. A detailed, well-documented report from someone who knows you well can provide crucial support to your case and can show how your disability impacts you in real-world terms.
Tips for an Effective Third-Party Report
To make the most of your third-party function report:
- You must select someone who knows you well to complete the report. This is someone who spends a significant amount of time with you, such as a longtime friend or close family member. Someone who knows much about your daily challenges is a good choice.
- Encourage the person completing the report to provide detailed, specific examples. Just saying, “He can’t do much” should be avoided. Rather, statements such as, “He is unable to cook because of the severe pain in his hands.”
- Honesty is paramount. Exaggerating can raise red flags and may cause the SSA representative to take more time to review the claim.
A third-party function report can be a game-changer in the disability application process. By providing detailed, objective insight into your daily life, this report can help solidify your case and increase your chances of approval. While it may seem like a small part of the application process, it can have a huge impact on how your application is evaluated and understood.
If you need help with submitting or completing a third-party report, or if you need guidance or help with your disability application, contact Parmele Disability Advocates. We have helped over 55,000 individuals receive the disability benefits they deserve and can guide you through the confusing, often lengthy process.
To schedule your no-cost consultation, contact Parmele Disability at 866-889-2570. You can also chat with a live representative through our website.
Parmele Disability Advocates. Disability advocacy for all.