When the Social Security Administration asks an adult disability applicant to complete Form SSA-3373-BK, Function Report – Adult, the form becomes part of the information used to evaluate how the applicant’s medical conditions affect daily functioning.
SSA’s current form states that the information provided will be used by the office that makes the disability decision and specifically asks applicants to describe their activities and abilities. SSA’s Program Operations Manual System likewise states that Form SSA-3373 is used to collect information about a claimant’s ability to function and perform activities of daily living.
For an Oklahoma applicant, the medical disability determination is generally made by Oklahoma Disability Determination Services (DDS), a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, under federal Social Security rules and regulations.
The purpose of Form SSA-3373 is to document functional limitations accurately. Answers should be truthful, specific and based on the applicant’s actual experience. The goal is not to make limitations sound better or worse than they are.
Why the SSA Function Report Matters
Medical records establish diagnoses, treatment, examination findings and other medical evidence. The Function Report addresses a different but related question: how the applicant functions in everyday life.
SSA’s current POMS explains that functional information from a claimant or other non-medical sources is intended to provide a sufficient picture of the claimant’s functioning over time. SSA’s symptom-evaluation guidance even uses the SSA-3373 as an example of evidence describing limitations in walking, self-care and social functioning.
The form therefore deserves the same attention as other disability paperwork. Statements about daily activities can help SSA understand the practical effects of an impairment, but unclear or incomplete answers can also leave important questions unanswered.
Follow SSA’s Instructions Before Answering the Questions
The current SSA-3373-BK contains several instructions that should be followed carefully. SSA tells applicants to complete as much of the form as possible and not to leave answers blank.
SSA specifically instructs applicants to use responses such as “don’t know,” “none” or “does not apply” when appropriate. The form also instructs applicants to explain answers when an explanation is requested or when additional explanation is needed.
If more space is necessary, SSA directs applicants to use the Remarks section on page 10 and identify the number of the question being answered. The form also asks applicants to indicate when a specific activity is performed with the help of other people.
These instructions matter because a blank response may be ambiguous. SSA cannot necessarily tell whether the question was overlooked, does not apply or has no answer.
1. Describe What You Do From the Time You Wake Up Until Going to Bed
The Function Report asks the applicant to describe what he or she does from the time of waking until going to bed.
This question should be answered as a description of actual daily functioning rather than as a schedule designed to sound either unusually active or unusually limited.
A useful answer identifies the activities that occur and, when relevant, the limitations involved. If a task takes substantially longer than it once did, requires rest, requires assistance, is performed only occasionally or cannot be completed consistently, that context may be important.
Daily functioning can vary. If there is no typical day because symptoms fluctuate, that can be explained accurately rather than forcing every day into one description.
2. Personal Care
The form asks about dressing, bathing, caring for hair, shaving, eating, using the toilet and other personal-care activities. It also asks whether the applicant needs reminders to take care of personal needs or grooming and whether help or reminders are needed with medicine.
A simple statement that a person “can dress” may not fully describe functioning if dressing takes substantially longer, requires adaptive methods or assistance, or causes significant symptoms.
When personal care is affected, the answer should explain the actual limitation. Pay particular attention to issues such as:
- Whether assistance is needed;
- Whether an activity takes substantially longer than before;
- Whether pain, weakness, fatigue, balance problems or mental symptoms interfere;
- Whether reminders are required; and
- Whether the activity is performed differently because of the medical condition.
The applicant should not claim a limitation that does not exist. The objective is an accurate description of how the condition affects personal care.
3. Meal Preparation
SSA asks whether the applicant prepares his or her own meals, what kinds of food are prepared, how often meals are prepared, how long preparation takes and whether cooking habits have changed since the illness, injury or condition began.
The answer should distinguish between being physically capable of doing something occasionally and being able to do it frequently, independently and without significant difficulty.
For example, the relevant context may include whether meals are simple or elaborate, whether the applicant relies on prepared foods, whether another person performs part of the task, or whether standing, concentration, fatigue or hand use limits cooking.
Pay particular attention to changes from the period before the impairment. If meals have become simpler, less frequent or more dependent on assistance, the form specifically provides an opportunity to explain that change.
4. Household Chores and Yard Work
The Function Report asks about indoor and outdoor household work, including cleaning, laundry, household repairs, ironing, mowing and similar activities. It asks what the applicant does, how long the tasks take and how often they are performed.
Answers such as “I do laundry” or “I clean” may be technically true while leaving out information SSA specifically requests.
When a household task is limited, describe the relevant details. Pay particular attention to:
- How often the task is performed;
- How long it takes;
- Whether the task is completed in stages;
- Whether rest breaks are needed;
- Whether another person helps;
- Whether only lighter portions of the task are performed; and
- Whether the applicant stopped doing tasks that were performed before the condition began.
The form separately asks whether the applicant needs help or encouragement to perform these activities and, if so, what kind of help is needed.
5. Going Outside, Driving and Transportation
SSA asks how often the applicant goes outside and how the applicant travels when going out. The form provides options including walking, driving a car, riding in a car, riding a bicycle and using public transportation.
If the applicant drives, the form asks whether he or she can drive and, if not, why not.
A truthful “yes” to driving should not be changed simply because the applicant is seeking disability benefits. At the same time, driving can require context if it is limited. Relevant facts may include frequency, distance, whether another person usually drives, whether symptoms restrict driving, or whether the applicant avoids driving under particular circumstances.
The same principle applies to leaving home. The important issue is the applicant’s actual functioning, not whether the activity sounds favorable or unfavorable.
6. Shopping and Handling Money
The form asks about shopping in stores, by phone, by mail or by computer. It also asks what the applicant shops for, how often shopping occurs and how long it takes.
SSA separately asks about financial activities, including paying bills, counting change, handling a savings account and using a checkbook or money orders.
These questions can provide information about physical mobility as well as concentration, memory, judgment and other mental functions. If shopping is performed only with assistance, online instead of in person, for short periods or less frequently than before, the relevant context should be stated accurately.
If the applicant’s ability to handle money changed after the condition began, the form asks for an explanation.
7. Hobbies, Interests and Social Activities
SSA asks about hobbies and interests and requests information about how often and how well the applicant performs them. The form also asks about time spent with other people and places the applicant regularly goes.
Having a hobby does not automatically establish an ability to sustain full-time work. However, the way an activity is performed can provide information about functioning.
If an activity has changed because of the medical condition, describe the change. An applicant who previously participated frequently but now participates rarely, for shorter periods, with assistance or in a modified way should provide that context when it is true.
SSA also asks whether there are problems getting along with family, friends, neighbors or others. The response should describe actual social functioning without exaggeration.
8. Physical and Mental Abilities
The Function Report asks which abilities are affected by the medical condition. The current form includes lifting, squatting, bending, standing, reaching, walking, sitting, kneeling, talking, hearing, stair climbing, seeing, memory, completing tasks, concentration, understanding, following instructions, using hands and getting along with others.
Checking an affected ability is only part of the response. SSA also provides space to explain how the condition affects each selected item.
Specific information is generally more useful than a broad statement that the applicant “cannot do much.” Where the applicant can accurately estimate a limitation, the response may describe matters such as how long the person can stand or sit, how far the person can walk before needing to stop, or what happens when concentration is lost.
Estimates should be genuine. An applicant should not invent precise measurements that he or she does not actually know.
9. Walking and Rest
SSA specifically asks how far the applicant can walk before needing to stop and rest. It then asks how long the applicant must rest before resuming walking.
This is an opportunity to describe functional endurance accurately. If the answer varies depending on symptoms or terrain, that can be explained.
An applicant who does not know an exact distance should not create a false level of precision. A reasonable description based on actual experience is preferable to an unsupported number.
10. Attention, Instructions and Interaction With Authority
The form asks how long the applicant can pay attention, whether the applicant finishes what he or she starts, how well written and spoken instructions are followed, and how well the applicant gets along with authority figures.
These questions can be particularly important when a disability claim includes mental health conditions, cognitive limitations, medication effects, pain or fatigue that interferes with concentration.
The answer should focus on actual functioning. If instructions must be reread, tasks are left unfinished, concentration deteriorates after a particular period, or reminders are necessary, those details may help explain the limitation more clearly than a one-word response.
11. Stress and Changes in Routine
SSA asks how well the applicant handles stress and changes in routine. It also asks whether the applicant has noticed unusual behavior or fears.
These questions should be answered in concrete, accurate terms when limitations exist. Rather than merely stating that stress is “bad,” explain what occurs when stress increases or a routine changes, if that effect is relevant to the medical condition.
The same rule applies throughout the report: describe what actually happens rather than trying to predict what SSA wants to hear.
12. Medications and Side Effects
The Function Report asks whether any medicines cause side effects and, if so, requests the name of the medicine and the side effects.
Only side effects actually experienced should be reported. The fact that a medication’s label lists a possible side effect does not mean the applicant experiences it.
When medication side effects do affect functioning, identify the medication and describe the actual effect as accurately as possible. Depending on the individual, this might involve drowsiness, dizziness, gastrointestinal effects or other symptoms documented in the applicant’s experience.
13. Use the Remarks Section When More Explanation Is Needed
Page 10 of the current SSA-3373-BK contains the Remarks section. SSA expressly instructs applicants to use it when more space is needed and to identify the question number being answered.
This section can be useful when a checkbox or short answer does not adequately describe a limitation.
Appropriate uses may include explaining fluctuating symptoms, clarifying the amount of assistance required, describing why an activity takes longer, or adding context to an answer elsewhere on the form.
The Remarks section should add relevant information rather than repeat every answer.
14. Review the Entire Report for Accuracy and Consistency
Before returning the Function Report, review it as a whole. The purpose is not to make every answer identical; different activities can involve different abilities. The purpose is to identify accidental contradictions, incomplete answers and statements that need context.
Pay particular attention to statements about:
- Driving;
- Shopping;
- Household chores;
- Walking and standing;
- Social activities;
- Concentration and task completion;
- Personal care; and
- Assistance from other people.
For example, an answer stating that the applicant cannot leave home should be reconciled with another answer describing regular shopping trips if both statements appear on the same form. There may be a truthful explanation, but the report should provide it when necessary.
Consistency does not mean forcing the facts into a particular narrative. It means making sure the form accurately reflects the same real-world functioning throughout.
Common Function Report Mistakes
Several mistakes can reduce the usefulness of Form SSA-3373.
Common problems include:
- Leaving questions blank instead of following SSA’s instruction to write “none,” “does not apply” or “don’t know” when appropriate;
- Giving one-word answers when the form specifically requests an explanation;
- Listing an activity without explaining meaningful limitations on frequency, duration, assistance or recovery time;
- Using absolute words such as “never” or “always” when they are not literally accurate;
- Guessing at distances, times or weights with false precision;
- Reporting medication side effects that are merely possible rather than actually experienced;
- Minimizing limitations because the applicant is accustomed to adapting around them; and
- Exaggerating limitations in an attempt to strengthen the claim.
Both minimization and exaggeration can interfere with an accurate disability evaluation. The strongest approach is a complete and truthful description supported by the applicant’s actual experience.
How Oklahoma DDS Uses Functional Information
Oklahoma Disability Determination Services makes medical eligibility determinations on SSDI and SSI applications for SSA. Oklahoma DRS states that DDS personnel consider medical information from doctors, hospitals, clinics and other treatment sources under federal Social Security rules.
SSA’s POMS explains that the SSA-3373 is used to collect information about a claimant’s ability to function and perform activities of daily living. Current SSA guidance also states that disability forms provide DDS with information concerning medical information, functional abilities and work history.
The Function Report therefore does not replace medical evidence. It contributes functional information that can be considered together with the medical and other evidence in the disability record.
Can SSA Request Another Function Report During an Appeal?
Yes. Current SSA POMS for reconsideration states that if a claimant reports changes on the Disability Report – Appeal or the evidence suggests a change in functioning, DDS must clarify the changes and obtain updated functional information. SSA may request an updated SSA-3373-BK or document the changes through its case-processing system.
This is another reason to treat the Function Report as an accurate description of functioning at the time it is completed. If the condition later changes, updated information can address that change.
Speak With an Oklahoma Social Security Disability Attorney
Form SSA-3373 can appear straightforward, but the questions address issues that may become important when SSA evaluates the severity and functional effects of a disability.
Social Security Law Center represents Oklahoma residents seeking SSDI and SSI benefits. When completing disability forms, applicants should focus on accuracy, completeness and enough context to explain how medically determinable conditions affect everyday functioning.
Frequently Asked Questions About the SSA Function Report
What is Form SSA-3373-BK?
Form SSA-3373-BK is SSA’s Function Report – Adult. SSA uses it to collect information about an adult disability claimant’s ability to function and perform activities of daily living.
Should I leave a question blank if it does not apply?
No. The current form instructs applicants not to leave answers blank. When appropriate, SSA instructs applicants to write “don’t know,” “none” or “does not apply.”
Should my doctor fill out the Function Report?
No. The current SSA-3373-BK specifically instructs applicants not to ask a doctor or hospital to complete the form.
What if I need more space?
SSA instructs applicants to use the Remarks section on page 10 and identify the number of the question being answered.
Should I mention that someone helps me with an activity?
Yes, when true. SSA specifically instructs applicants to indicate when a particular activity is performed with the help of others.
Does being able to cook, drive or shop mean I am not disabled?
Not automatically. SSA asks about these activities as part of a broader assessment of functioning. The frequency, duration, assistance required and limitations involved may all provide relevant context.
Can SSA ask for an updated Function Report during reconsideration?
Yes. Current SSA POMS states that DDS must obtain or document updated functional information when reported changes or other evidence suggest that functioning has changed.
What Oklahoma agency makes the medical disability determination?
Oklahoma Disability Determination Services (DDS), a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, makes medical eligibility determinations for SSA under federal Social Security rules and regulations.
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