THE REALITY TEST

When you apply for disability, Social Security will send you a  lot of forms.  These forms will ask you about every facet of your everyday life.  They take the answers on these forms very seriously.

When you complete your disability forms, have a relative or friend review them with you.  Do the Reality Test.  Are my answers really accurate?  Have I under-stated or exaggerated any of my answers?  Strive for absolute honesty.

Often, I interview claimants with a spouse present.  As the claimant is telling me what they can and cannot do, the spouse is very often incredulous.  Their expression says, "You certainly can't do that!" Or, "Are you kidding me?"

We tend to minimize our inabilities and downplay our limitations.  Our family members may notice our limitations more than we do.

When filling out Function Reports, address your worst days--not your best days.  If you can trim the grass two days out of an average week but you cannot do it five days out of the week, then you have a severe limitation. 


The reality test simply asks, "Is this a true reflection of what I can do, day in and day out?  

Keep in mind, too, that just because you can do something once or twice around the house, performing that same function on the job all day is a different matter.  Can you lift 10 pounds?  You say, "Sure, I can lift 10 pounds with no problem."  If I rephrase the question, Can you do a job all day that requires lifting 10 pounds? the answer might be totally different.


The same might be true with a simple thing like sitting.  Around the house you sit in a recliner and read or watch TV.  At work, however, you would sit in a much less comfortable chair with both feet on the floor, not elevated.  How long can you sit in those conditions?

Perform the reality test.  I also recommend having your spouse or family member review your answers.  He/she may look at what you have written and say, "Are you kidding me?"