The Adult Disability Report is crucial to the disability claims process. Disability Determination Services (DDS) will use this report to give them a better understanding of the full extent of your disability, your medical history and treatment, and employment. You must obtain and submit a Disability Report as part of your application. It’s a great idea learn about what to expect from a Disability Report ahead of time and ensure that you have all of the information and evidence required. If you’re applying for benefits, here’s what you need to know.
What is the Purpose of the Adult Disability Report?
The SSA 3368: Adult Disability Report provides detailed information about you, your work history, and your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work. It helps the Social Security Administration (SSA) understand your situation and assess whether you meet the criteria for disability benefits. If a representative is helping you, their information should be documented here.
What Does an Adult Disability Report Consist Of?
The report typically includes information about your medical conditions, treatments you’ve received, medications you’re taking, and how your conditions limit your ability to perform daily activities and work-related tasks. It contains 11 sections:
Section 1: Information About the Disabled Person. This first section requires identifying information and contact details for the applicant, including a mailing address (or wherever the applicant would like to receive mail) and their preferred contact number. In addition, it asks about the applicant’s ability to read, write, and comprehend English and if they’ve previously used other names.
Section 2: Contacts. This section asks for contact information for someone other than the applicant’s doctors, such as a friend, relative, or caretaker, who knows about the applicant’s qualifying disability and can help them throughout the claim process.
Section 3: Medical Conditions. The applicant must completely list the physical or mental conditions limiting their ability to work. Then, the applicant must list each condition separately and use their own words whenever possible, particularly for health concerns not associated with a formal diagnosis. In addition, the applicant must provide their height and weight and if their conditions result in pain or other symptoms, mentally or physically.
Section 4: Work Activity. Questions in this section are divided into three parts, depending on whether the applicant has never worked, stopped working, or is continuing to work. Applicants only need to answer one of these sections, depending on their situation. Note that the date provided in this section for when the applicant stopped working, or their conditions became severe enough to prevent them from working should match the dates provided in the forms SSA-16 and SSA-8000. Otherwise, the claim could experience delays at SSA.
Applicants who stopped working will be asked by the SSA if they stopped because of their conditions or other reasons. Here’s what to expect:
- If applicants stopped working due to the symptoms of their mental or physical health conditions, they would answer, “Because of my condition(s).”
- The option “Because of other reasons” includes being laid off, seasonal work, and a business closing. If this applies, SSA will ask applicants when they believe their conditions became severe enough to prevent them from working.
- The SSA will also ask if applicants changed their work activity before they stopped working. SSA must know if an applicant needs to modify job duties or hours worked based on their conditions.
If the applicant is currently working, they must provide information about any changes in their work activity. For example, they may be able to work 10 hours per week, but their employer allows extra breaks and a flexible schedule when the applicant experiences anxiety.
Section 5: Education and Training. Applicants must provide information in this section about the highest grade they completed and details about any specialized education or training. If the applicant is unsure about the exact dates of school or training, they can provide an estimate. Providing information about special education can be critical to disability determination. For example, school records may contain solid evidence about an applicant’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), IQ testing, behavioral issues, and childhood diagnoses. Specialized training can include military training and trade and vocational schools. Even if the applicant started a program but did not complete it, provide the details in this report section.
Section 6: Job History. The applicant should list up to five jobs they have had in the 15 years before they could not work. This must start with their most recent job and work backward.
For each job listed, include:
- Job title. If the applicant does not remember their job title, add a generic title that describes the tasks performed. For example, “cashier” or “waiter.”
- Type of business. For example, enter “Restaurant” or “Retail Store.”
- Dates worked. Enter each job’s first and last work date in month/year format.
- Hours per day, days per week, and rate of pay. If the applicant does not remember or have these details, write “unknown” and add a note in the remarks section (Section 11) that the applicant experienced difficulty recalling past employment details.
Then, check the appropriate Job History box that applies to the applicant.
- If the claimant had only one job in the last 15 years, answer the rest of the questions in Section 6.
- If the applicant had more than one job in the last 15 years before he or she could not work, do not answer the rest of the questions in Section 6 and proceed to Section 7. DDS may contact the applicant for more information about their work history and ask them to complete the SSA-3369: Work History Report.
Section 7: Medications. Here, the applicant lists all brand name or generic medicines they take to treat their physical and mental conditions, including those prescribed by a doctor and any over-the-counter medication. Provide the name of the medicine, the prescribing medical provider, and the reason for the medicine, such as depression, insomnia, or pain relief. If possible, collect this information directly from the prescriptions or prescription bottles. If the applicant does not know this information, enter “don’t know” for “Name of Medicine,” and for “Reason for Medicine,” enter why the applicant takes the medicine. Panic attacks, for example. If the applicant has been prescribed medication but is inconsistent with doses due to symptoms of illness, compromised memory, or limited funds, add the medications to Section 7 and provide details in the Remarks section about why the applicant fails to take their medication consistently. The applicant can also include information about the use of medical marijuana and the side effects of this treatment.
Section 8: Medical Treatment. In this section, include all medical providers that have examined or treated the claimant for the alleged physical or mental conditions, even if they are not recent. Medical sources should not be limited to any specific timeframes. The DDS uses judgment in developing medical sources based on many factors, such as claim type, date last insured, and prescribed period. If the claimant received treatment at a hospital or clinic by a doctor or other health care professional, or if the claimant has a future appointment scheduled, they must provide information about the medical provider, the type of appointment, and their reason for attending the meeting.
Section 9: Other Medical Information. Provide the name of anyone with medical information about the applicant’s physical or mental condition, including emotional issues and learning disabilities. Sources include workers’ compensation, insurance companies, prisons, attorneys, and social service agencies.
Section 10: Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment or Other Support Services. This section is specifically for those who are already receiving SSI. For example, individuals who have been receiving SSI as children and have turned 18 and are undergoing a redetermination to qualify for SSI as an adult. If this section applies, the applicant must provide information about any vocational rehabilitation or supportive services they have received.
Section 11: Remarks. In this section, the applicant must collect and include any additional information or explanation they did not give in other parts of this report. For example:
- Document if the applicant is experiencing homelessness and if they had any difficulties completing the form.
- If the applicant did not have enough space in the sections of this report to enter the requested information, use this area for additional information and reference the section and item of the question.
Additionally, if the applicant has not seen medical sources for any of the conditions listed in Section 3, document “No treating source for (listed condition).” For example, if the applicant was never treated for back pain, enter “No treating source for back pain” in the remarks section.
Tips for Competing the Disability Report
Keep supporting documents on file. You may be asked to submit supporting documents such as medical records, test results, and statements from medical professionals to supplement your disability claim.
Be honest and accurate. This is critical when completing the Adult Disability Report. Inconsistencies or inaccuracies in your disability claim may affect the SSA’s decision.
Fill out a printed copy of the worksheet first. Then, once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, transfer the content to the online form.
See if you qualify for Compassionate Allowance. If you have cancer, include the type and stage. If you are eligible for Compassionate Allowance, the SSA may expedite your approval for benefits.
Consult with a disability attorney. It may be helpful to consult with a disability attorney or advocate when completing the Adult Disability Report to ensure that you provide all necessary information and increase your chance of approval.
Our Portland SSD Lawyers Are Here for You
Applying for and obtaining Social Security disability benefits is a complex process and seeking guidance from a reputable professional is essential. At Kerr Robichaux & Carroll, Social Security Disability is all we do. We advocate for the disabled community of the Pacific Northwest and help them secure the benefits they need and deserve. Speak with us for free today.
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