In short: This guide explains how to fill out a function report in plain English, using current 2026 SSA figures and the official rules — so you can understand how to fill out a function report and decide what to do next.
Learning how to fill out a function report is one of the most useful things you can do for your Social Security disability claim. The Function Report (Form SSA-3373-BK, “Function Report — Adult”) usually arrives in the mail a few weeks after you apply. It asks how your illness, injury, or condition affects your ordinary day. It is not a test, and there are no trick questions.
However, it carries real weight. The state agency that decides your claim — Disability Determination Services, or DDS — reads your answers next to your medical records. Many claimants rush it or answer with one word. Understanding how to fill out a function report carefully gives the decision-maker the picture your doctor’s notes may leave out.
What the SSA is really asking you
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is not asking whether you feel sick. It is asking what you can still do, day after day, in a work setting. That is called your residual functional capacity, or RFC.
The form walks through your day from waking to bedtime. It asks about cooking, bathing, dressing, chores, shopping, driving, money, hobbies, and time with other people. It also asks how far you can walk, how long you can pay attention, and how well you follow written and spoken instructions.
The heart of how to fill out a function report is honesty about a typical day, not your best day. For example, if you can wash dishes for five minutes but then need to sit down for an hour, write both parts. In most cases, the missing second half is what costs people the claim.
How to fill out a function report, section by section
Give yourself time. Most people need one to three hours. You may take breaks, and you may use extra paper — the SSA generally accepts added pages if you label them with the question number, your name, and your Social Security number.
Use specific numbers and plain detail. “I can stand about 10 minutes before my back forces me to sit” tells DDS far more than “standing hurts.” Usually the strongest answers include how long, how often, and what happens afterward. Describe the rest of the day too — the naps, the flare-ups, the help you get from family.
Answer every question. If something does not apply, write “N/A” instead of leaving it blank. As a result, no one has to guess what you meant. Return it by the date on the cover letter; if you need more time, call the number on the notice before the deadline passes.
The numbers behind your claim in 2026
Knowing how to fill out a function report matters because the same file drives the money side of your case. Here are the 2026 figures most claimants ask about.
| Item | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| SGA limit (substantial gainful activity), non-blind | $1,690 per month |
| SGA limit, blind | $2,830 per month |
| Average SSDI payment | About $1,630 per month |
| Maximum SSDI payment | $4,152 per month |
| SSI federal benefit rate, individual | $994 per month |
SSDI means Social Security Disability Insurance, which is based on your work record. SSI means Supplemental Security Income, which is based on low income and few resources. SSDI has a 5-month waiting period before payments start. Back pay can reach up to 12 months before your application date. Medicare begins 24 months after SSDI entitlement.
These federal figures — the COLA-adjusted benefit amounts, the SGA limit, and the work-credit thresholds — change every January. Any estimate here is illustrative, and every case is different. Confirm the current numbers with the SSA at ssa.gov.
How to fill out a function report without hurting your case
A few habits protect you. First, never exaggerate. If DDS sends you to a consultative examination (CE) — a paid exam with a doctor the agency chooses — your answers should match what that doctor sees. Second, never minimize either. Many people downplay their struggles out of pride, and that reads as ability.
Keep a copy of everything you send. For example, take photos with your phone before mailing it. If a friend or family member helps you write it, say so on the form; the SSA generally allows that. A separate Third Party Function Report (Form SSA-3380-BK) may also be sent to someone who knows you well.
Knowing how to fill out a function report also means keeping a short daily log for a week first. Note pain levels, bad nights, dropped items, missed showers, cancelled plans. Then copy the real pattern onto the form. You may qualify if your limits keep you from full-time work at any job, and this is where you show it.
What to do next
Read the whole form once before writing anything. Then answer in pencil or on scrap paper, and copy your final answers over. Mail it or upload it exactly as the cover letter says, and keep the tracking receipt.
📨 Get Free Disability Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
If you were already denied, do not panic and do not start over with a new application. You have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to appeal. Many claimants with this situation win later before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), a Social Security judge who holds a hearing and listens to you directly. If your condition is terminal or on the Compassionate Allowances list, tell the SSA right away — those cases are flagged for faster handling, and you deserve that speed.
You can also check the Blue Book, the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, to see the medical criteria for your condition. However, you do not have to meet a listing to be approved. If you want help, a representative usually works on contingency: the fee is the lesser of 25% of past-due benefits or $9,200, and there is no fee if you do not win. Confirm anything specific with the SSA and a licensed attorney or accredited representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to return the form, and does how to fill out a function report affect my deadline?
The cover letter gives a due date, usually about 10 days. However, the SSA generally works with people who call before the deadline. Take the time you need, but do not simply ignore it — a missing form can lead to a denial.
Should I describe my good days or my bad days?
Describe a typical week honestly, including both. For example, write “three good hours on two days, and the rest of the week I stay in bed.” In most cases, that balanced picture is more believable than either extreme.
Can someone else write it for me?
Yes. A spouse, adult child, friend, or caseworker may write your answers, and you should note who helped. Usually the SSA also mails a separate third-party form to someone who sees you often.
Key point: When people ask about how to fill out a function report, the honest answer depends on your own situation — this guide on how to fill out a function report walks through what the SSA actually looks at.
Bottom line on how to fill out a function report: confirm the current figure and any deadline with the SSA, because the rules behind how to fill out a function report can change each year.
Understanding how to fill out a function report is one of the most useful things you can do before you act, so take how to fill out a function report one step at a time.
See What Applies to You
Every case is different. Use our free, no-signup tools to see what applies to your own situation — whether you may qualify, what you could be owed, and your real odds. No email, no sign-up, just straight answers.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures and rules in this guide on how to fill out a function report come from official government sources. Social Security figures, deadlines, and rules change — the federal amounts reset every January — so always confirm the current figure with the SSA:
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — the first and most authoritative source on SSDI and SSI.
- SSA Blue Book (Listing of Impairments): ssa.gov Blue Book — the medical criteria SSA uses.
- U.S. Department of Labor: dol.gov — disability and benefit resources.
- USA.gov: usa.gov — a plain-language gateway to federal benefits.
- National Council on Aging: ncoa.org — benefits help for older adults.
Verified September 2026. SSA figures change every January; if you spot anything outdated, please contact us.
Related How To Fill Out A Function Report Guides
More guides related to how to fill out a function report:
- How to Apply for Disability, Step by Step
- Do You Qualify for Disability? Free 5-Step Check
- Approval Chances & Wait Time by State
- Disability Back-Pay Estimator
- Denied? What to Do Next
Disclaimer. This page is for general information only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Disability Claim Info is an independent educational resource — we are not the Social Security Administration, a law firm, or a medical provider. SSDI and SSI rules and dollar figures change, and any estimate is an illustration, not a prediction. For your situation, confirm your eligibility and any deadline with the Social Security Administration and a licensed attorney or accredited representative before you act.