By Disabled World - 2008-10-15
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Claims for social security disability benefits are decided on the basis of medical documentation.
However, such claims can be significantly strengthened by one particular form of medical documentation known as a residual functional capacity form, a form that allows a physician to submit a detailed statement in support of a patient's case, and which is now being offered as a free download on the homepage of Disability Secrets.
Tim Moore, who worked for several years as a disability claims examiner and developed the website, Social Security Disability Secrets, to help people understand the confusing, frustrating disability determination process, has announced that he will now be offering free, downloadable RFC forms on the site.
What is an RFC form?
An RFC form is a document that spells out exactly what activities disability applicants can and can’t do as a result of their physical or mental condition, or their residual functional capacity. The RFC is critical to the disability examiner’s decision-making process, so important that the social security administration actually requires one on file for every disability case.
What type of information is in an RFC?
The RFC provides information regarding any and all limitations imposed on an individual due to his or her impairment. It addresses activities such as sitting, standing, lifting, reaching, concentration, memory recall, and even how an individual reacts to bright light, odors, heights, or sounds. These questions are best answered by claimants’ own doctors instead of a physician hired by social security who has never treated them before, and whose only knowledge of their condition comes from a brief, perfunctory exam.
However, the social security administration does not supply an RFC form to those who file for disability, nor will they direct claimants to have one filled out by their treating physician. Instead, SSA has their own doctors, known as medical consultants, who never physically see or treat disability claimants, fill out these forms. Not surprisingly, these 'social security doctors' use their in-house RFC forms to deny an overwhelming percentage of disability applicants.
According to Moore, a former disability claims examiner for social security, it would be in many claimants’ best interests to have access to a form that could be taken to their own doctor, filled out, and submitted to social security—particularly in cases where a claim will be decided at a disability hearing. At such hearings, a statement from a physician that addresses functional limitations can carry great weight and present significant advantages for a case.
The free RFC form can be downloaded from the Social Security Disability Secrets website by simply scrolling to the bottom of the home page and choosing the link for either a mental impairment RFC form or physical impairment RFC form (Individuals wishing to download the form may also benefit by visiting the site's Social Security Disability Questions page).
In Other U.S. Health and Disability News
In compliance with the ADA, the College's office of Student Disability Services (SDS) offers many accommodations for students with disabilities.
These services range from extended time on exams to personal tutoring and priority registration. The College has developed a working definition of disability to help it maintain ADA compliance.
Jennifer Billeci, coordinator of Student Disability Services, explained Saint Mary's currently defines a disability as a "Condition which has persisted for three or more months and impairs a major life activity of an otherwise qualified student." the SDS webpage lists eighteen typical services which students with disabilities can take advantage of. These services include interpreters, enlarged print on reading materials, on-campus residency assistance and individual academic support.
Billecci added that the school is "Making some big leaps in our technological capabilities," such as employing special software for the blind or those with learning disabilities. Students with disabilities who are interested in receiving classroom accommodations should contact Billeci at (925) 631-4164 to set up a confidential appointment. Editor: See our article on Disability College Services and Information
Prudential Financial, Inc. hosted a workshop on Monday around engaging individuals with disabilities in the workplace and marketplace.
The event held in recognition of Disabilities Awareness Month featured Nadine Vogel, president, Springboard Consulting, LLC, a firm specializing in disability issues. "By offering learning opportunities with experts such as Nadine Vogel, we continue to raise awareness of the issues that people with disabilities face," says Emilio Egea, Prudential's Chief Diversity Officer.
"Nadine's session helped our employees understand the many dimensions of disabilities from a personal and business perspective, which ultimately strengthens our culture of inclusion and increases our competence to support our employees and serve our markets in this area."
In recognition of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Chairperson Stephen A. Glassman today reminded Pennsylvania employers that disability discrimination is illegal, encouraging them to focus on the talents and potential contributions of their workers and job applicants with disabilities. The Human Relations Commission enforces Pennsylvania's laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and make accessibility on the job and in public places a right.
To seek out the best employees to serve its worldwide clients.
Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS) today announced it has successfully recruited more than 135 people with disabilities in a pilot project designed to attract more Americans with disabilities.
Since March, ACS has worked with approximately 300 different agencies that support people with disabilities who refer appropriate candidates to ACS for possible hiring. "This program enables ACS to extend our corporate philosophy of giving people a solid foundation to build on and the ability to improve their lives, whether it's developing life skills or providing access to services that lead to a safe and healthy lifestyle," said Lora Villarreal, chief people officer for ACS. ACS is tracking the progress of its recruiting efforts and is continually seeking innovative ways to continue to knock down barriers to employment. The company works with local Business Leadership Networks (BLN) to advance its alternative recruiting efforts and allows ACS to network with other employers whose best practices have helped influence its success.
Coming Events:
A disability expert and alumnus of Western Michigan University returns to his alma mater to make a presentation on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Dr. John E. Crews will give a 45-minute talk beginning at 11 a.m. on "Disability and Health Matters: The Intersection of Public Health and Disability."
Crews' presentation, in 1010 Health and Human Services Building, is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.
Crews is the lead scientist for the Disability and Health Team at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He earned a master's degree in blindness and low vision studies and a doctoral degree in public administration from WMU and was recently honored with the College of Arts and Sciences 2007 Alumni Achievement Award.
Crews will discuss the public health model as it applies to disability, the conceptual frameworks that portray disability and the health status and demographic trends of people with disabilities. He will give special attention to the health of people with vision loss and the effects of multiple health conditions on function and social roles.
The presentation will include suggestions for future directions in disability and public health research and a question-and-answer period. For more information, contact Dr. Richard Long, associate dean of the WMU College of Health and Human Services, at (269) 387-2540 or richard.long@wmich.edu.
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