Functional limitations

Functional limitations are defined as any way, mentally or physically, in which your condition affects your ability to function on a day to day basis. The SSA may never use this term when you speak with a disability examiner or when you are completing your application. What they will discuss is your past work activities, your medical conditions and symptoms and your normal activities of daily living. The SSA hopes by reviewing each of these factors they will be able to determine your remaining capacity to work.

Functional limitations could include ambulatory limitations, which restrict your ability to walk, sit or stand, or any reduced capacity to reach, pull, lift of carry objects. If you have a mental condition the SSA will try to determine if you have the ability to complete a full day's work, maintain a weekly work schedule, get along with co-workers, pay attention, concentrate, etc.

The SSA will use any information about your functional limitations to determine if your condition is too severe for you to meet the demands of relevant past jobs or if you have enough education and work skills to retrain for new work.