The Remarks Section Is Where You Explain What Your Doctor Did Not

The remarks section on your SSDI process is a text box where you write information that does not fit anywhere else on the form. Social Security reads this section to understand how your condition affects your daily life and work. You are not required to fill it in — but leaving it blank means missing a chance to clarify details that could strengthen your case.

The remarks section appears on Form SSA-3368 (Supplement to process for Disability Insurance Benefits) or Form SSA-16-F4 (process for Disability Insurance Benefits), depending on which form you are completing. It is typically a single open text box labeled "Remarks" or "Additional Information." There is no character limit on most versions, though some online portals may cap it at 2,000 characters.

What you write here becomes part of your official file. A disability examiner will read it alongside your medical records, work history, and the rest of your process. If your remarks contradict your medical records or your own statements elsewhere on the form, that inconsistency will be flagged and may slow your case.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the remarks section to explain how your condition stops you from working, not to repeat what is already in your medical records.
  • Write about daily activities you cannot do, pain or fatigue that limits your time awake, or side effects from medication that affect your thinking or movement.
  • Be specific: instead of "I cannot work," write "I can sit for 20 minutes before my back pain forces me to lie down."
  • Keep your language clear and direct; do not use medical jargon or emotional language that sounds exaggerated.
  • If your condition has changed since your last medical visit, or if your doctor did not ask about something that affects your work, the remarks section is where you document that.

What To Include: Functional Limitations, Not Diagnosis

Social Security does not award benefits because you have a diagnosis. It awards them because your condition prevents you from working. The remarks section is where you translate your diagnosis into what you actually cannot do.

Write about the things that stop you from working eight hours a day, five days a week. This includes physical limitations (how long you can stand, sit, walk, or lift), cognitive limitations (trouble concentrating, remembering instructions, or making decisions), and side effects from treatment (drowsiness, tremors, nausea). If you have multiple conditions, focus on the ones that have the biggest impact on work.

For example, if you have fibromyalgia, do not write "I have fibromyalgia and it is very painful." Instead write: "I have pain throughout my body that is worst in the morning. I can do light tasks for about two hours before the pain becomes severe enough that I need to rest. On bad days, I cannot get out of bed. I have tried three medications, and all of them cause drowsiness that makes it unsafe for me to drive or operate machinery."

The examiner already knows your diagnosis from your medical records. What they need to know is whether that diagnosis stops you from holding a job.

What Not To Include: Arguments, Emotion, And Repetition

Do not use the remarks section to argue that you deserve benefits or to complain about your situation. Phrases like "I should not have to work" or "This is unfair" do not help your case and may make the examiner less likely to take your process seriously.

Do not repeat information that is already in your medical records or elsewhere on the process form. If you listed your medications on the form, do not list them again in remarks. If your doctor documented your limitations in a recent report, do not copy that report into remarks. The examiner will have already read it.

Do not exaggerate or use emotional language. Phrases like "unbearable pain," "completely unable," or "my life is ruined" weaken your case because they sound like opinion rather than fact. Stick to what you can measure or observe: "I can walk one block before I need to sit down," not "I cannot walk anywhere."

Do not make claims you cannot back up. If you say you cannot lift more than five pounds, be ready to explain why (a doctor told you, you tried and it caused pain, etc.). If you cannot explain it, do not write it.

When The Remarks Section Matters Most

The remarks section is most useful when there is a gap between what your medical records show and how your condition actually affects you. This happens in several situations.

Your condition has changed since your last doctor visit. If you saw your doctor three months ago but your condition has gotten worse, or if you have started a new medication with side effects, write about that. Example: "Since my last visit in June, I have developed severe fatigue. I now sleep 12 to 14 hours a day and am awake for only a few hours. My doctor has not yet seen me for this change, but I have an appointment scheduled for [date]."

Your doctor did not ask about something that affects work. Doctors focus on treating your condition, not on whether you can work. If your doctor did not ask about your ability to concentrate, remember instructions, or get along with coworkers, but these things are affected by your condition, write about them. Example: "My depression causes me to have trouble concentrating. I lose track of what I am doing and have to start over. My doctor has not specifically tested this, but it happens every day."

You have side effects from medication that your doctor may not know about. Some side effects are not obvious until you try to work or do daily tasks. Write about them. Example: "My blood pressure medication makes me dizzy when I stand up. I have fallen twice. I am afraid to be around machinery or to drive."

Your work history does not match your current condition. If you worked recently but can no longer do that job, explain why. Example: "I worked as a cashier until March 2023. I had to stop because standing for eight hours caused my knee pain to become severe by the end of the shift. I also became confused about transactions and made mistakes. My employer asked me to resign."

How To Write Clearly And Organize Your Thoughts

Write in short sentences using words you use every day. Avoid medical jargon unless you are quoting your doctor. If you must use a medical term, explain what it means in plain language.

Organize your remarks by topic rather than writing everything in one long paragraph. You can use line breaks or straightforward labels like "Pain," "Fatigue," "Medication side effects," or "Work history." This makes it easier for the examiner to find the information they need.

Write in the first person: "I cannot" rather than "The applicant cannot." Be direct and factual. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, include it anyway — the examiner can ignore it if it does not matter.

If you have a representative (a lawyer or advocate) helping with your process, ask them to review your remarks before you submit. They can tell you if something is unclear or if you have left out important information.

Length And Tone: Finding The Right Balance

There is no minimum or maximum length for remarks, but aim for one to three paragraphs. If you write more than a page, you are probably repeating yourself or including information that belongs in a medical report instead.

Your tone should be calm and straightforward. You are describing facts about your condition and how it affects you, not telling a story or making an emotional appeal. An examiner reads hundreds of applications. The ones that stand out are the ones that are clear, specific, and honest.

If you are angry or frustrated about your situation, that is understandable — but do not let that show in your remarks. Save that for conversations with your doctor, your representative, or your support system. Your process needs to be professional.

What Happens After You Submit Your Remarks

Once you submit your process, your remarks become part of your file. A disability examiner will read them as part of the initial review. If your case is denied and you file an appeal, your remarks will be reviewed again by a different examiner or, if you request a hearing, by an administrative law judge.

You can add more information to your remarks at any point during your case — during the initial review, during an appeal, or before a hearing. If your condition changes or you remember something important, contact Social Security and ask to add it to your file. Keep a copy of anything you submit so you have a record of what you have already told them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I mention that I have tried to work since becoming disabled?

Yes, if it is relevant. If you tried to work and had to stop because your condition got worse, or if you worked part-time and could not increase your hours, write about that. It shows that you have not given up and that your limitations are real, not a choice.

Can I write about how my condition affects my family or my finances?

Only if it directly relates to your ability to work. Social Security cares about whether you can work, not about your personal circumstances. You can mention that you cannot care for your children because of your condition if that is true, but do not focus on financial hardship or family stress.

What if I do not have a recent doctor visit to back up what I write?

Write about it anyway, but be clear about when you last saw your doctor and what has changed since then. Example: "My last visit was in January. Since then, my fatigue has gotten much worse. I have an appointment in March." Social Security will ask your doctor to confirm this, so make sure you tell your doctor about the change before your next visit.

Can I use the remarks section to explain why I was fired or why I quit my job?

Yes, if your condition caused you to lose your job. Write what happened and why your condition made you unable to continue. Example: "I was fired because I was late too often. I was late because my medication makes me drowsy in the morning and I cannot get ready on time." This helps the examiner understand that your work history ended because of disability, not because you chose to stop working.

Should I mention that I have looked for work but cannot find a job that accommodates my condition?

Yes, if that is true. Write about the types of work you have looked for and why you could not do them. Example: "I have looked for desk jobs, but I cannot sit for more than 30 minutes without severe pain. I have looked for standing jobs, but I cannot stand for more than 20 minutes. I cannot find work that fits my limitations." This shows that your disability is the barrier, not lack of effort.