What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation in a Social Security Disability Case?
Are you wondering what a Functional Capacity Evaluation is in a Social Security disability case—and whether it might be helpful for you?
My name is Kaitlin Wildoner, and I’m an attorney who helps disabled clients obtain their disability benefits as quickly as possible so they can focus on getting better.
In today’s video, we discuss what a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is and whether it may be helpful for your Social Security disability claim.
What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation, or an FCE, is a series of tests that measure your physical and mental abilities to perform certain work-related tasks.
It can provide objective evidence of your functional limitations caused by your medical conditions.
Why Is an FCE Important?
The results of an FCE can help determine your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—in other words, what you can still do despite your conditions and limitations.
The Social Security Administration uses your RFC to decide whether:
- You can return to your past relevant work, or
- You can adjust to any other type of work
How an FCE Supports Your Disability Claim
An FCE can support your claim by:
- Showing concrete limitations
- Providing evidence that matches the Social Security Administration’s criteria for disability
- Helping explain how your condition impacts your ability to work
Will Social Security Accept the FCE Results?
Importantly, the results of an FCE are considered along with all of the other medical evidence and statements about your limitations.
While Social Security may give significant weight to Functional Capacity Evaluation results if they are consistent with other evidence in the file, the agency is not bound by those FCE findings. They will evaluate the FCE in the context of all available evidence.
This means that:
- An FCE alone is not usually enough to prove disability
- But it can be a valuable piece of evidence in your overall case
Thanks so much for watching!
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