The Function Report Enters a Queue at Your Local Field Office

When you mail or submit your Function Report (also called the Adult Function Report or Work Activity Report, depending on your situation), it arrives at the Social Security field office that handles your claim. That office scans it into your electronic case file, usually within one to three business days of receipt. You will not hear that this happened — there is no confirmation email or letter. The report sits in your file alongside your medical records, work history, and any other documents you have already sent.

The timing of when your report is reviewed depends on where your claim stands. If you are still in the initial review stage — meaning a disability examiner has not yet made a decision — your report becomes part of the evidence they use to decide whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability. If you have already been denied and are waiting for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, the report goes into the hearing file and the judge will see it before your hearing date.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Function Report is scanned into your case file at your local field office within one to three business days, but you receive no confirmation that this happened.
  • A disability examiner or judge will review it as part of the evidence in your case, but the timing depends on whether you are still in initial review or waiting for a hearing.
  • Social Security may contact you or your doctor if the report raises questions or contradicts medical records, but this does not happen in every case.
  • You can call your local field office to confirm your report was received, but you cannot learn the outcome or next steps by phone until a decision is made.
  • The entire review process — from report receipt to decision — typically takes two to four months if you are still in initial review, or longer if you are headed to a hearing.

When Social Security Contacts You or Your Doctor

After your Function Report is filed, Social Security may reach out to you or your treating physician if something in the report needs clarification. This happens most often when your description of your daily activities does not match what your medical records say, or when the report suggests you might be able to work but your medical evidence does not support that. For example, if you report that you can walk for 30 minutes without pain, but your doctor's notes say you have severe arthritis and cannot walk more than 10 minutes, a disability examiner may call you to ask which is accurate.

Social Security may also request a consultative examination — a one-time medical visit paid for by Social Security — if your Function Report raises questions that your existing medical records do not answer. This is not a punishment or a sign your claim is being denied. It is a way for Social Security to get current medical evidence about how your condition affects your ability to work. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you where and when to go, and you must attend or your claim may be denied.

In many cases, however, no contact happens at all. If your Function Report is consistent with your medical records and clearly describes limitations that match Social Security's definition of disability, the examiner may move forward without calling you.

How the Disability Examiner Uses Your Report

The disability examiner assigned to your case reads your Function Report alongside your medical evidence to build what Social Security calls a "residual functional capacity" — a detailed picture of what you can and cannot do physically and mentally during an eight-hour workday. Your report is one of several sources of this information. Medical records from your doctors carry more weight, but your own description of your limitations is part of the picture.

The examiner uses your report to answer specific questions: Can you sit for eight hours? Can you lift 10 pounds repeatedly? Can you follow written instructions? Can you work around other people? Your answers, combined with what your doctors have documented, help the examiner decide whether you can do your past work or any other work that exists in the national economy. If the examiner concludes you cannot, your claim moves toward approval. If the examiner concludes you can, your claim moves toward denial.

The examiner also looks for inconsistencies. If you report that you cannot leave your home because of anxiety, but your Function Report also says you go to the grocery store and church every week, the examiner will note that contradiction. This does not automatically deny your claim — many people with severe anxiety can do some activities but not others — but it does mean the examiner will dig deeper into your medical records or may contact you to understand what you actually can do.

What Happens If Your Claim Is Still in Initial Review

If you sent your Function Report while your claim was being reviewed by a disability examiner (not yet at the hearing stage), the examiner will incorporate it into their decision. The examiner has up to 60 days from the date you filed your claim to make a decision, though in practice this often takes longer — typically two to four months. Your Function Report does not change this timeline, but it does become part of the evidence the examiner weighs.

Once the examiner makes a decision, you will receive a letter in the mail. If you are approved, the letter will say so and tell you when your benefits begin. If you are denied, the letter will explain the reason and tell you that you have 60 days to request reconsideration — a second review by a different examiner. If you request reconsideration, you can submit an updated Function Report at that time if your condition has changed.

What Happens If You Are Waiting for a Hearing

If you have already been denied twice (at initial review and reconsideration) and have requested a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, your Function Report becomes part of the hearing file. The judge will read it before your hearing date, which is usually scheduled three to six months after you request the hearing, though wait times vary by region.

At the hearing, the judge may ask you questions about what you wrote in your Function Report. For example, the judge might ask you to describe in detail what you mean when you say you cannot concentrate, or to walk through a typical day to show how your condition affects you. The judge uses your answers, your Function Report, your medical records, and testimony from a vocational informed to decide whether you are disabled. Your Function Report is evidence, but it is not the only thing the judge considers.

If you are at the hearing stage, you can also submit an updated Function Report if your condition has changed since you first filed it. This is often a good idea if you have had new medical treatment, a hospitalization, or a significant change in your daily functioning. Submit the updated report to the judge's office at least two weeks before your hearing date.

Confirming Receipt and Tracking Your Claim

You can call your local Social Security field office to confirm that your Function Report was received and scanned into your file. Have your Social Security number ready. The staff member can tell you whether the report is in the system, but they cannot tell you what decision will be made or when. That information is only available once the examiner or judge has completed their review.

You can also create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov if you have not already done so. This account lets you see some information about your claim, though not always the full details. You will be able to see the date your claim was filed and, once a decision is made, you will see the decision in your account before the letter arrives in the mail.

Do not call repeatedly asking for updates. Social Security field offices handle thousands of claims, and calling multiple times does not speed up the review. If you have new medical evidence or a significant change in your condition, send it in writing to your field office instead.

What to Do If You Do Not Hear Back Within a Reasonable Time

If you filed your claim more than four months ago and have not received a decision, you can contact your field office to ask for a status update. Explain that you are checking on the progress of your claim, not requesting a decision. The staff member may be able to tell you whether your case is still being reviewed or whether additional medical evidence is needed.

If you believe your claim has been delayed unreasonably, you can file a complaint with Social Security's Office of Inspector General. This is a last resort and does not speed up your claim, but it creates a record if you believe you have been treated unfairly. You can also contact your U.S. Representative's or Senator's office — they have constituent services staff who can inquire on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call Social Security to find out what they think of my Function Report?

No. Field office staff cannot discuss the content of your report or what the examiner thinks about it. They can only confirm that the report was received and is in your file. Any discussion of your case details happens only when the examiner or judge contacts you directly, or when a decision is made.

What if I made a mistake on my Function Report?

Send a written correction to your local field office as soon as you notice the error. Include your Social Security number, the date you filed the original report, and a clear explanation of what was wrong and what the correct information is. Ask them to add it to your file. Do not assume Social Security will ignore the mistake — correcting it yourself shows you are being honest and careful.

Do I need to send an updated Function Report if my condition got worse after I filed?

Yes, if your condition has significantly worsened. Send an updated report to your field office with a cover letter explaining what has changed and when. Include any new medical records that support the change. This is especially important if you are waiting for a hearing, because the judge will want to know your current status, not just your status when you first filed.

How long does it take for Social Security to make a decision after they receive my Function Report?

There is no set timeline after the report arrives. The examiner has up to 60 days from your original claim date to decide, but this often takes two to four months total. If you are at the hearing stage, the judge will review your report before your hearing, which is usually scheduled three to six months after you request it.

What happens if my Function Report contradicts what my doctor wrote?

Social Security will notice the contradiction and may contact you or your doctor to clarify. This does not automatically deny your claim. Many people have good days and bad days, or can do some activities but not others. Be prepared to explain the difference if asked, and consider having your doctor write a clarification letter if the contradiction is significant.