Need help with the government's complex rules for disability benefits — for yourself or a loved one? When a disabling injury or illness strikes, a strong advocate can be the difference between getting the benefits you've earned and the sinking feeling of a denied application. A knowledgeable Social Security Disability attorney is the best way to cover your bases, whether you're starting your case or appealing a prior denial.
When you apply to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the agency wants to know more than which job tasks you can no longer perform. Many claimants are surprised to find they must answer questions about everyday activities unrelated to work — and how you answer can make or break your claim.
What Are ADLs?
ADLs are "activities of daily living" — the things people normally do in a given day. You'll fill out a questionnaire called an Adult Function Report about your condition and how it affects those activities, and you'll be asked about your ADLs again at your hearing before the Administrative Law Judge. Expect questions like whether you can:
- Drive a car or other vehicle
- Keep up with housework and laundry
- Go grocery shopping
- Cook meals
- Do yard work and household repairs
- Dress yourself without help
- Handle your own personal hygiene
- Care for family members and pets
- Spend time on hobbies or with friends
- Travel or go on vacation
Why Does the SSA Want to Know?
The SSA isn't prying into your personality — it wants to know whether the condition that keeps you from working also prevents you from doing other things you used to do. Presenting an honest picture through your ADLs is a critical part of the process. It may be embarrassing to admit you have trouble getting dressed because you can't bend over, or that being in public triggers panic attacks — but if you sugarcoat your abilities out of embarrassment, it becomes much harder to win, even with an experienced attorney.
Key Points To Remember
- Be specific about frequency. If you only have the strength to cook once or twice a week, saying "Yes, I can cook meals" is technically true but gives the judge the wrong impression.
- Explain the "cost" of an activity. If you can vacuum but then have to lie down for an hour afterward, make that clear.
- Line up third-party reports. Former bosses, co-workers, friends, and family who know your limits can corroborate what you say — a former co-worker who saw you struggle to lift or stand, or a family member who now does your shopping or yard work. Make sure anyone you list truly understands your condition.