What a Function Report Is and Why Social Security Asks for It

A Function Report is a form Social Security sends you after you submit your SSDI process. It asks you to describe what you can and cannot do in everyday life — how you spend your time, what tasks you manage, what you struggle with, and how your condition affects you on a typical day. Social Security uses this form to understand whether your medical condition truly prevents you from working.

The form is not a test you can pass or fail. It is a way for you to explain your limitations in your own words, beyond what doctors' records show. Many people underestimate how much detail Social Security wants, or they worry about sounding too sick. The goal is to be honest and specific about what your life actually looks like.

Key Takeaways

  • The Function Report asks about daily activities, not medical diagnosis — describe what you actually do and struggle with, not what the condition is called.
  • Be specific and concrete: instead of "I have pain," write "I can stand for 20 minutes before I need to sit down" or "I forget conversations from the day before."
  • The form covers personal care, household tasks, social activities, and work-related abilities — answer every section even if the answer is "I cannot do this."
  • Keep your answers consistent with what you told the Social Security interviewer and what your medical records say, because Social Security will compare them.
  • You have about 10 days from the date on the form to return it, but sending it sooner protects your claim in case it gets lost in the mail.

What Sections the Form Covers and How to Answer Each One

The Function Report has several sections, and each one asks about a different part of your daily life. The form is called SSA-3373-BK (the adult version) or SSA-3373-B (if you are under 18). You will receive it in the mail with a cover letter explaining that Social Security needs more information about your condition.

The first sections ask about personal care — bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, using the toilet. Write down what you can do without help and what you need help with. If you need reminders to take medication, or if you need someone to lay out your clothes because you cannot decide, say that. If you can shower but it takes you twice as long as it used to, or if you have to sit down while showering, describe it that way.

The next sections cover household tasks: cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, paying bills, managing money. Again, be specific. "I cannot cook" is less useful than "I can heat up food in the microwave but cannot use the stove because I forget I have something cooking." If you live with someone who does these tasks for you, explain whether that is because you cannot do them or because you choose not to.

Later sections ask about social activities, hobbies, and how you spend your time. Social Security wants to know whether you leave the house, whether you see friends or family, whether you do activities you enjoy. If you spend most days in bed or on the couch, say that. If you go to church or to a support group, mention it. If you used to have hobbies and no longer do them, explain why — pain, fatigue, memory problems, or something else.

How to Be Specific Without Overstating or Understating Your Limitations

The biggest mistake people make is being too vague. "I have trouble with my memory" tells Social Security almost nothing. "I forget what I ate for breakfast by lunchtime" or "I wrote down my doctor's appointment but forgot where I put the paper and missed it" gives a real picture of how memory problems affect your life.

Another common mistake is trying to sound sicker than you are. If you can walk a mile on a good day, do not write that you cannot walk at all. Social Security will check your answer against your medical records and against what neighbors or family members might tell them. If your form says you never leave the house but your doctor's notes mention you came to the appointment, that inconsistency hurts your claim.

Instead, describe what a typical day looks like. How many hours can you sit before you need to lie down? How many times do you have to stop and rest when you walk? Do you have good days and bad days, or is it always the same? If you have mental health conditions, describe what that feels like: "I feel anxious in crowds and have to leave," or "I cannot concentrate on a task for more than 10 minutes," or "I have panic attacks when I think about going to work."

Use numbers and time frames whenever you can. Instead of "I am tired all the time," write "I sleep 12 hours a night and still feel exhausted" or "I can stay awake for 4 hours before I need to nap." Instead of "I cannot focus," write "I can read a page of a book but do not remember what I read" or "I can watch a 30-minute TV show if there are no distractions."

Keeping Your Answers Consistent Across All Your Documents

Social Security will compare your Function Report to three other sources: the medical records you submitted with your process, the notes from your phone interview with Social Security, and any statements from doctors or family members. If these do not match, Social Security may think you are not being truthful, and that can lead to a denial.

Before you fill out the Function Report, look back at what you told the Social Security interviewer. If you said you could not work because of pain, and the Function Report asks about pain, your answer should be consistent. If your doctor wrote in your medical records that you have trouble with balance, and the Function Report asks about walking, mention the balance problem.

This does not mean you have to give identical answers word-for-word. The Function Report asks for more detail than a phone interview allows. But the core facts should line up. If you told Social Security you live alone and manage your own household, do not write on the Function Report that someone else does all your cooking and cleaning.

Common Sections That Trip People Up

One section asks whether you have driven a car in the past three months. People sometimes skip this or answer too briefly. If you do not drive, explain why: you cannot concentrate long enough, you have seizures, you are too anxious, or you straightforward do not have a license. If you drive but only short distances or only during the day, say that.

Another section asks about work-related abilities: can you follow instructions, get along with coworkers, handle stress, show up on time. This is where you connect your daily limitations to why you cannot work. If you have memory problems, explain how that would affect a job. If you have anxiety, describe what happens when you are around other people or under pressure. If you have pain that gets worse with activity, explain how you would manage a job that requires sitting or standing.

The form also asks whether you have received treatment for your condition in the past three months. If you have not seen a doctor recently, Social Security may wonder whether your condition is still disabling. If you cannot afford treatment or cannot get an appointment, say that. If you have tried treatment and it did not help, mention it.

What to Do If You Do Not Understand a Question

If a question on the Function Report does not make sense to you, or if you are not sure how to answer it, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have the form in front of you when you call, and ask the representative to explain the specific question. They cannot tell you what answer to give, but they can clarify what the question is asking.

You can also ask for an extension if you need more time to fill out the form. The form usually gives you 10 days, but if you need to talk to your doctor or gather information, you can request more time. Write a note with your claim number and ask for an extension, and mail it back before the important date.

How to Return Your Completed Function Report

The form comes with a return envelope and instructions. You can mail it back, or in some cases you can submit it online through your my Social Security account if you have one set up. Check the cover letter to see which methods are available for your claim.

Keep a copy of the form for your records before you mail it. If you mail it, send it at least a few days before the important date so it has time to arrive. Social Security receives thousands of pieces of mail, and delays happen. If you submit it online, you will get a confirmation that it was received.

After you return the form, Social Security will review it along with your medical records. This can take several weeks or months. You do not need to do anything else unless Social Security contacts you asking for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have a bad day when I am filling out the form?

Describe your typical day, not your worst day or your best day. If you have a condition that varies — some days you can do more, some days you cannot — mention that in the form. Write something like "On good days I can walk for 30 minutes, but on bad days I cannot leave the house." Social Security understands that disabilities fluctuate.

Should I mention things I used to be able to do but cannot anymore?

Yes. If you used to work full-time and now you cannot work at all, or if you used to drive and now you cannot, that is important information. It shows that your condition has changed your life significantly. You can write "I used to work as a teacher but had to stop because of memory problems" or "I used to exercise three times a week but now I cannot walk more than a block."

What if my family member or caregiver wants to help me fill out the form?

A family member or caregiver can help you organize your thoughts and make sure you do not miss sections, but the answers should come from you. Social Security wants to know what you experience, not what someone else thinks you experience. If someone else fills it out for you without your input, Social Security may notice the language does not match how you normally speak, and that can raise questions.

Can I submit the Function Report early, before the important date?

Yes, and it is a good idea. Submitting it early protects you in case the form gets lost in the mail or delayed. There is no penalty for submitting early, and it shows Social Security that you are cooperating with the process.

What happens if I miss the important date?

If you miss the important date, contact Social Security right away. Call 1-800-772-1213 and explain that you did not receive the form, or that you received it late, or that you need more time. Social Security may give you an extension, especially if you have a good reason. Missing the important date does not automatically deny your claim, but it can slow things down.