One of the most overwhelming aspects of the Social Security Disability process, we hear from clients, is the request by Social Security to complete various questionnaires related to their activities, work history and how their disabilities limit their ability to work. Although these forms are time consuming, they are an important part of the disability process. In this blog entry, we will touch on two of the lesser known forms Social Security may ask you to complete.
Work Activity Report
There are actually two types of Work Activity Reports, Form 821 and Form 820, which is specifically designed for self employed workers. If Social Security has sent you this form to complete it is very important to complete it to the best of your ability and return it to them. A major reason you may receive this form is that Social Security needs more clarification about work activity and the amount of money you made while working. This usually happens when there is some discrepancy in earnings workers show. This gets down to the technical rules of the main two Social Security disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you are earning too much money from work (more than $1,070 per month gross) you are ineligible for either disability program and will not be found disabled under Social Security’s rules no matter what your conditions are.
Third Party Function Report
Everyone who has filed a Social Security disability claim has had to complete a Function Report. This is a questionnaire about your daily activities and how your disabilities limit your daily functioning. A Third Party Function Report asks the same questions a standard Function Report does, but from a different perspective. Someone close to the person who is applying for disability is asked to complete the form, usually someone who lives with the person applying.
The most important thing related to these forms is to complete them to the best of your ability and to answer all questions truthfully.
