The Adult Function Report is how Social Security measures what you can and cannot do

The Adult Function Report (form SSA-3373-BK) is a detailed questionnaire Social Security sends you after you file for SSDI. It asks about your daily activities, physical limitations, mental or emotional problems, and how your condition affects work. Social Security uses your answers to decide whether your impairment is severe enough to prevent substantial work.

You will receive this form by mail, usually within a few weeks of filing your SSDI process. The form itself is not a test you can pass or fail—it is evidence. Your answers become part of your case file and help the examiner understand how your condition actually affects your life, not just what a medical report says in abstract terms.

The form is long (around 20 pages) and repetitive by design. Social Security is looking for inconsistencies between what you say you cannot do and what you actually do. If you say you cannot sit for more than 10 minutes but your medical records show you work part-time, that gap matters. Honesty and specificity are more important than trying to sound as disabled as possible.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security mails the Adult Function Report to you after you file; you do not request it, and you must return it within the important date stated in the cover letter.
  • The form asks about daily activities (cooking, cleaning, shopping), physical abilities (walking, sitting, lifting), and how your condition affects concentration, memory, and social interaction.
  • Your answers are compared against medical records and any work history, so inconsistencies between what you report and what doctors document will be flagged.
  • Describe what you actually do on a typical day, not what you wish you could do or what you theoretically might do on a good day.
  • If you cannot complete the form yourself due to your condition, you can ask a family member or representative to help, but your answers must be accurate.

What the form actually asks about

The Adult Function Report has five main sections. The first covers your daily activities: what time you wake up, whether you cook or prepare meals, how often you do laundry, whether you shop for groceries, and how long you can stand or sit before you need to rest. These questions are not about what you used to do or what you could do with help—they are about what you actually do now, on a normal day.

The second section asks about physical abilities: can you lift 10 pounds, 25 pounds, 50 pounds? How far can you walk? Can you climb stairs? Do you have pain, tremors, or weakness? Be specific about distance and weight. "I cannot walk far" is less useful than "I can walk to the mailbox and back, about 100 feet, before my legs hurt too much to continue."

The third section covers mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. It asks whether you have trouble concentrating, remembering things, understanding instructions, or getting along with others. It asks whether you leave your home, whether you have panic attacks or anxiety in public, and whether you have attempted suicide. Answer these honestly. Many SSDI claims are denied because applicants understate mental health symptoms out of shame or stigma.

The fourth section asks about work-related abilities: can you follow written or spoken instructions? Can you handle stress? Can you work around others? Can you keep a schedule? These questions connect directly to why you cannot work, so your answers matter even if you have not worked in years.

The final section asks about medical treatment: what doctors you see, what medications you take, and whether you follow your treatment plan. If you say you take medication but your medical records show you have not filled a prescription in six months, that discrepancy will be noted.

How to fill it out accurately without overstating or understating

The biggest mistake applicants make is describing an ideal or worst-case day instead of a typical day. If you have fibromyalgia and some days you cannot get out of bed but other days you can do light housework, describe what happens most days. If you have depression and some mornings are worse than others, describe the average. Social Security is looking for a pattern, not exceptions.

Use concrete details instead of vague language. Do not write "I have trouble walking." Write "I can walk to the kitchen and back to my bedroom, about 50 feet, before I need to sit down for 15 minutes." Do not write "I cannot concentrate." Write "I can read a paragraph in a book, but then I have to reread it because I do not remember what I just read." Specific examples are harder to dispute and more credible than general statements.

If a question does not explore to you, say so. If you live alone and do not cook, write that you do not cook rather than leaving it blank. If you do not drive, say so. Blank spaces can be interpreted as missing information or as an attempt to hide something.

Do not exaggerate. If you can do something with difficulty or pain, say so. If you can do it sometimes, say sometimes. Social Security has access to your medical records, and if your report contradicts what your doctors have written, the examiner will assume your report is unreliable. A modest, honest report is more persuasive than an extreme one.

What happens after you return the form

Once you mail the completed form back to Social Security, it goes into your case file. The disability examiner assigned to your case will read it alongside your medical records, any work history, and statements from your doctors. The examiner is looking for evidence that your condition prevents you from doing any kind of work—not just your old job, but any job that exists in the economy.

If your answers raise questions, the examiner may order a consultative examination (CE)—a medical exam paid for by Social Security, usually with a doctor you have never seen before. The CE is not a second opinion on your diagnosis; it is a functional assessment. The doctor will ask you to perform physical tasks, test your memory and concentration, and ask about your daily life. Your answers on the Adult Function Report will be compared to what the CE doctor observes.

If there are major inconsistencies—for example, you report you cannot sit for more than 30 minutes but the CE doctor watches you sit calmly for an hour—that will be documented and used against you. If your answers are consistent with your medical records and the CE findings, they strengthen your case.

Common mistakes that hurt your claim

Leaving sections blank or writing "see medical records" instead of answering the question directly signals that you did not take the form seriously. Social Security wants to hear from you, not just from your doctors. Your lived experience matters.

Describing what you cannot do without explaining what you can do creates a confusing picture. If you say you cannot work but also say you cook dinner every night and do your own laundry, the examiner may conclude your condition is not as limiting as you claim. Instead, describe the full context: "I can cook a straightforward meal on days when my pain is manageable, but it takes twice as long as it used to, and I have to sit down frequently. On bad days, I cannot cook at all."

Contradicting your medical records is the fastest way to lose credibility. If your doctor's notes say you attended physical therapy twice a week but you report you cannot leave your home, that gap will be flagged. If you report severe depression but your records show you have not seen a mental health provider in two years, the examiner may question whether your condition is as serious as you say.

Failing to mention side effects from medication is a missed opportunity. If a medication makes you drowsy, dizzy, or unable to concentrate, say so. These side effects are part of your condition's impact on your ability to work.

If you need help completing the form

If you have a representative—a lawyer, advocate, or non-lawyer representative—they can help you fill out the form. They cannot fill it out for you, but they can ask clarifying questions, help you organize your thoughts, and make sure you have answered every question. Many representatives have seen hundreds of these forms and know what details matter.

If you do not have a representative but need help, you can ask a family member or friend to information. They can read questions aloud, help you remember details, and write down your answers. The answers must be yours, not theirs. If you have a cognitive condition that makes it hard to complete the form yourself, mention that in a cover letter when you return it.

If you miss the important date to return the form, contact Social Security when ready. Missing the important date can result in your case being closed, but you can usually request that it be reopened if you have a good reason for the delay.

How the form connects to the rest of your case

The Adult Function Report is one piece of evidence, not the deciding piece. Social Security also looks at your medical records, your work history, your age, your education, and your ability to do other kinds of work. A strong report helps, but it cannot overcome a lack of medical evidence. If you have not seen a doctor in a year, no amount of detail on the function report will convince an examiner that your condition is disabling.

Conversely, if you have strong medical evidence but your function report is vague or inconsistent, the examiner may order a consultative exam to clarify what you can actually do. The form is not the whole story, but it is an important part of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot remember exactly how long I can sit or walk?

Give your best estimate and be honest about uncertainty. You can write "approximately 20 minutes" or "I am not sure, but it is less than an hour." Rough accuracy is better than a precise number you are not sure about. If you genuinely do not know, describe what you do know: "I can sit through a TV show if I have a pillow, but I have to stand up during commercials."

Should I mention things I do only on good days?

Yes, but label them as good days. Write "On days when my pain is low, I can do light housework for 30 minutes" rather than leaving the impression you do this every day. Social Security understands that conditions fluctuate. What matters is the pattern, not the exceptions.

Can I submit medical records or a letter from my doctor instead of filling out the form?

No. Social Security requires you to complete the form yourself. Your doctor's records are separate evidence. The form is specifically designed to capture information about your daily functioning that medical records may not include.

What if my condition has gotten worse since I filed my process?

Describe your current condition on the form, not your condition when you filed. If your condition has worsened significantly, mention that in a cover letter: "Since I filed in January, my condition has worsened. This form describes my current functioning as of [date]." You can also submit updated medical records showing the change.

Do I have to answer questions about my mental health if I only have a physical condition?

Yes. Even if your primary condition is physical, Social Security asks about mood, concentration, and social functioning because these affect your ability to work. Many people with physical conditions also experience depression or anxiety. If that applies to you, report it. If it does not, you can write "not applicable" or "no" as appropriate.