When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, you may be asked to provide a Third-Party Function Report, often completed by someone who knows you well, such as a family member, friend, or caregiver. This form helps the Social Security Administration (SSA) gain an outside perspective on how your condition affects your daily life and activities. Knowing how to approach this form—and ensuring the person completing it understands what SSA is looking for—can significantly strengthen your claim.
What Is a Third-Party Function Report?
The Third-Party Function Report (Form SSA-3380) is similar to the Function Report (Form SSA-3373) that you fill out yourself, but it’s completed by someone who has firsthand knowledge of your daily life and limitations. This report gives SSA additional insight into how your disability impacts you from an objective point of view.
This form covers various areas, including:
- Your daily activities: What you can and cannot do during the day, including tasks like cooking, cleaning, and personal care.
- Physical abilities: How well you can move around, such as walking, sitting, standing, and lifting objects.
- Social interactions: Whether your condition affects your ability to socialize or maintain relationships.
- Mental and emotional health: How your condition impacts your concentration, memory, or ability to handle stress.
The person filling out this report needs to provide specific examples of how your disability affects these areas of your life.
How to Choose the Right Person to Complete the Form
When selecting someone to fill out the Third-Party Function Report, choose a person who interacts with you regularly and can speak knowledgeably about how your condition affects your day-to-day activities. This might be:
- A spouse or partner
- A close family member (such as a sibling or parent)
- A trusted friend or caregiver
Make sure the person you choose has a clear understanding of your condition and can provide detailed, honest answers.
Tips for Filling Out the Form
- Be Specific: The person completing the form should provide detailed examples of how your condition limits you. For example, instead of simply stating “They can’t walk very far,” they might say, “They can only walk for 5 minutes before needing to sit down due to knee pain.”
- Describe Good and Bad Days: Many medical conditions fluctuate, so it’s important to describe both good and bad days. For instance, someone with fibromyalgia might have days where they can manage light activities and days where they can’t get out of bed.
- Focus on Functionality: SSA wants to understand how your condition affects your ability to perform daily activities and work-related tasks. The person completing the report should focus on how your symptoms prevent you from doing things like shopping, cooking, driving, or working.
- Stay Honest: The person completing the form should avoid exaggerating or minimizing your limitations. Honest, accurate descriptions of your abilities will carry more weight with SSA than vague or inflated claims.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too vague: A common mistake is providing answers that lack detail. For example, instead of saying “They need help getting dressed,” explain why—such as pain or stiffness that prevents you from bending or reaching.
- Inconsistent answers: Make sure the information provided in the Third-Party Function Report is consistent with the answers you provided in your own Function Report. Inconsistencies can raise red flags for SSA.
- Choosing someone who isn’t familiar with your condition: Select someone who regularly observes how your condition impacts your life. Avoid choosing someone who doesn’t have firsthand knowledge of your limitations.
How an Attorney Can Help
The Third-Party Function Report is an important piece of your disability claim, and it’s crucial that it is filled out correctly. An experienced disability attorney, like those at Disability Law Group, can help guide the person filling out the form to ensure that the answers are clear, detailed, and consistent with your medical records.
By working with an attorney, you can avoid common mistakes, ensure all relevant information is included, and present the strongest possible case to SSA. If you need help coordinating the completion of a Third-Party Function Report, contact Disability Law Group today for expert assistance.
