How To Fill Out The Social Security Function Report (Form SSA-3373)

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits involves more than submitting medical records. The Social Security Administration (SSA) also wants to understand how your medical condition affects your daily life and ability to work. One of the most important ways they gather this information is through the Function Report.

The Function Report is Form SSA-3373, sometimes called the Adult Function Report. This form allows you to describe how your symptoms affect your daily activities, personal care, mobility, concentration, and ability to complete tasks. While medical records document your diagnoses and treatment, the Function Report helps the SSA understand how those medical conditions translate into real-world limitations.

Completing this form carefully and honestly can play a significant role in the outcome of your disability claim.

How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits

To apply for disability benefits, you need to submit an application to the Social Security Administration (SSA). There are two main types of benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

For SSDI, you can apply if you’ve worked and paid taxes for years but now cannot work. SSI is available for individuals with low income and limited work history.

To get started, fill out the main disability benefits application (Form SSA-16). This form asks about your health, work background, and reasons for applying. You’ll also need to complete a work history report (Form SSA-3369-BK), a third-party function report (Form SSA-3380-BK), and a work activity report (Form SSA-821-BK).

Note: Additional questionnaires and paperwork may be required based on your circumstances.

For more assistance with your application, refer to our guide on applying for Social Security Disability benefits.

What is the Function Report?

The Function Report (SSA-3373) is a questionnaire the SSA uses to evaluate how your condition affects your daily functioning. It asks detailed questions about your:

• Daily activities
• Personal care
• Household responsibilities
• Mobility
• Social interaction
• Concentration and memory
• Ability to complete tasks

Your answers help the SSA determine whether your limitations prevent you from performing work activities.

This form is typically sent after you apply for disability benefits, although sometimes it is completed during the application process.

The Third-Party Function Report

The Third-Party Function Report (Form SSA-3380-BK) allows someone else to describe your daily activities and how your condition affects your ability to function independently.

It’s crucial to pick someone who truly understands your condition and its impact on your daily life. Selecting someone unfamiliar with your condition might not benefit your application. It could hurt your case if the SSA contacts them and they provide inaccurate information or give conflicting answers.

Most applicants find it more effective to strengthen their medical records and collaborate with a disability attorney to increase their chances of success. However, if the SSA or DDS requires you to complete the third-party function report, it’s best to do so promptly to prevent delays in processing your application.

The questions on the third-party report closely resemble those on the standard Function Report, so the same advice applies.

How to Prepare Before Filling Out the Function Report

Before completing the form, it helps to take a few minutes to think through how your condition affects your daily life. Consider how your symptoms limit your ability to perform routine activities, such as getting dressed, preparing meals, completing household chores, or concentrating on tasks.

You should focus on the conditions that prevent you from working and make sure your responses are consistent with your medical records. If possible, review your medical history or speak with your doctor to ensure your description of your limitations accurately reflects your medical condition.

It can also help to think about specific examples from your daily life that illustrate your limitations. These examples can make your responses clearer and more persuasive.

Tips for Completing the Function Report

When completing the Function Report, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Be honest and specific. Describe your limitations clearly and realistically. Avoid exaggerating your symptoms, but do not minimize the difficulties you experience.
• Focus on functional limitations. The SSA is less concerned with the name of your condition than with what it prevents you from doing. Explain how your symptoms affect your ability to stand, walk, sit, lift, concentrate, or complete tasks.
• Use real-life examples. Instead of general statements, explain how your condition affects everyday activities. For example, describe how long it takes you to complete household tasks or whether you need help from others.
• Be consistent with your medical records. Your answers should align with the symptoms and limitations documented by your doctors.
• Review your answers carefully. Before submitting the form, make sure your responses are complete and accurately describe your limitations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Each Section of the Function Report

he Social Security Function Report (Form SSA-3373) is divided into several sections that ask about different aspects of your daily life and abilities. Each section focuses on how your medical conditions affect your ability to function and work.

Section A — General Information

Questions 1–3: Contact Information

The first questions ask for basic identifying information such as your name, address, phone number, and Social Security number. The form may also ask who completed the report.

If someone helped you complete the form, such as a family member or friend, be sure to include their name and relationship to you.

Question 4: Your Living Situation

This question asks where you live and who lives with you. The SSA wants to understand your home environment and whether you rely on others for assistance.

If family members or roommates help you with daily activities, you should briefly explain what type of help they provide.

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Section B — Information About Your Illnesses, Injuries, or Conditions

Question 5: How Do Your Illnesses, Injuries, or Conditions Limit Your Ability to Work?

This is one of the most important questions on the entire form.

The SSA is asking you to explain how your medical conditions prevent you from working. Instead of simply naming your condition, explain how it affects your ability to perform work-related activities.

For example, you might describe:

• Chronic pain that prevents you from sitting or standing for long periods
• Fatigue that limits your ability to complete tasks
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering instructions
• Mobility problems that make walking or lifting difficult

Instead of simply naming your condition, explain how it affects your ability to perform work-related activities.

Focus on the specific symptoms and functional limitations you experience.

Example of a Weak Answer

“I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.”

This answer identifies the condition but does not explain how it limits your ability to work.

Example of a Stronger Answer

“Because of chronic pain and fatigue, I cannot sit or stand for more than 20 minutes without needing to change position. I frequently need to lie down during the day, and I have difficulty concentrating long enough to complete tasks.”

The stronger answer explains functional limitations, which is what the SSA is evaluating.

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Section C — Information About Your Daily Activities

This section asks detailed questions about your daily routine and how your condition affects everyday tasks.

Question 6: What Do You Do in a Day?

This question asks you to describe a typical day from morning to night. The Social Security Administration uses this information to understand how your condition affects your ability to function throughout the day.

When answering this question, walk through your day step-by-step. Explain what you do when you wake up, how you spend your time during the day, and what your evening routine looks like.

Most importantly, describe how your symptoms affect these activities. If pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive problems, or other symptoms slow you down or force you to rest, include those details.

For example, you might explain:

• How long it takes you to get out of bed or get dressed
• Whether you need help preparing meals or completing chores
• How often you need to rest during the day
• Whether you lie down due to pain or fatigue
• Activities you can no longer perform or can only do with difficulty

Many people try to present themselves in the best possible light and unintentionally minimize their limitations. However, this form is designed to show the SSA how your condition actually affects your daily functioning.

Instead of simply listing activities, explain how long tasks take, whether you need help, and what happens when you try to do too much. These details help the SSA understand the practical impact of your condition on your ability to sustain work activity.

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Why This Question Matters

The most common mistake I see claimants make is describing what they attempt to do during the day without explaining the limitations, breaks, and symptoms that accompany those activities.

The SSA is not just looking at whether you perform certain activities. They are evaluating whether you could perform those activities consistently, for eight hours a day, five days a week, as most jobs require.

Providing a clear picture of your daily limitations helps the SSA understand how your condition affects your ability to sustain work.

Questions 7–9: Caretaking

These questions ask whether you care for other people, children, or pets.

If you do provide care, explain what type of care you provide and whether you need help doing it. If you no longer perform certain caretaking tasks because of your condition, be sure to mention that.

Question 10: What Were You Able to Do Before Your Illness That You Can’t Do Now?

This question gives you an opportunity to explain how your condition has changed your abilities. The SSA wants to understand how your daily life and functional capacity have changed since your illness or injury began.

Be as specific as possible when describing the activities you used to perform but can no longer do, or can only do with difficulty.

What to Include When Explaining What You Could Do Before—But Can’t Do Now

When answering this question, focus on real-world examples that show how your condition has affected both your work abilities and your personal life. Think about tasks or activities that once came easily but are now difficult or impossible.

Your answer might include examples such as:

• Work-related activities you previously performed, such as lifting heavy boxes, standing for long shifts, working at a cash register throughout the day, or completing physically demanding job duties.
• Household tasks you used to handle without difficulty, such as cooking full meals, cleaning, doing yard work, or driving regularly.
• Family or social activities, such as attending your children’s events, visiting friends, volunteering, or participating in religious or community activities that are now too physically or mentally demanding.

Do not worry about repeating information you mentioned earlier in the form. Consistency can reinforce your explanation of how your condition affects your daily functioning.

The goal is to help the disability reviewer understand how your life has changed. Instead of saying “I cannot do as much as I used to,” describe what is different and explain why. For example, you might explain that memory problems prevent you from traveling alone or that pain and fatigue now prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed.

These kinds of real-life details help the SSA understand the full impact of your condition on your ability to function and work.

Question 11: Sleep

Many medical conditions affect sleep. If pain, anxiety, breathing problems, or other symptoms interfere with your sleep, explain how often this happens and how it affects your energy and functioning during the day.

Questions 12–13: Personal Care and Meals

These questions focus on personal care activities such as:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Grooming
• Preparing meals

If these activities take longer than they used to, require assistance, or cause pain or fatigue, explain those difficulties.

Questions 14–16: Getting Around, Shopping, and Housework

The SSA asks about your ability to perform routine activities such as driving, using public transportation, shopping, and doing household chores.

Describe any limitations you experience. For example, you might explain that pain limits how long you can stand while cooking or that fatigue makes it difficult to complete household tasks.

Question 17: Money

This question asks whether you are able to manage money, pay bills, handle a bank account, or make financial decisions.

If cognitive problems, memory issues, or other symptoms affect your ability to handle finances, explain those difficulties.

Question 18: Hobbies

The SSA asks about hobbies and recreational activities. Explain whether your condition limits your ability to participate in hobbies you once enjoyed.

Question 19: Social Activities

This question focuses on your ability to interact with other people. If your condition limits social activities, explain how often you see friends or family and whether symptoms such as pain, anxiety, or fatigue affect your ability to socialize.

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Section D — Information About Your Abilities

Question 20: Detailed Information About Your Abilities

This section asks about your ability to perform specific physical and mental activities, such as:

• Lifting
• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Climbing stairs
• Using your hands
• Concentrating
• Following instructions

Describe how long you can perform these activities and what happens when you try to do them.

Question 21: Medical Devices

You may be asked whether you use assistive devices such as:

• Braces
• Canes
• Walkers
• Wheelchairs
• Hearing aids

If you use medical devices, explain how often you use them and why they are necessary.

Question 22: Medication

This question asks about medications you take and any side effects you experience.

If your medication causes side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating, explain how those side effects affect your ability to function.

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Section E — Remarks

The final section allows you to include any additional information that may help the SSA understand your limitations.

This is your opportunity to clarify answers or explain symptoms that were not fully covered earlier in the form.

For example, you might use this section to explain:

• Symptoms that fluctuate from day to day
• How long it takes you to recover after activity
• Medication side effects
• Additional limitations that affect your ability to work

Providing clear, relevant details in this section can help ensure the SSA has a complete picture of how your condition affects your daily functioning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many disability applicants unintentionally weaken their claims when completing the Function Report. Some common mistakes include:

• Minimizing symptoms. Some claimants downplay their limitations because they are accustomed to coping with their condition. However, it is important to accurately describe the challenges you face.
• Giving vague answers. General responses such as “I have difficulty with chores” are less helpful than detailed explanations of what you can and cannot do.
• Providing inconsistent information. Your answers should be consistent with your medical records and other forms you have submitted to the SSA.
• Leaving sections incomplete. Make sure you answer every question on the form to avoid delays in processing your claim.

How to Submit Your Function Report

When submitting your Form SSA-3373, ensure that all sections are filled out accurately and comprehensively. Double-check for any missing information or errors that could delay the review process. Submit the form by mail or fax or by visiting your local Social Security office in person, but be sure to retain a copy for your records.

What Happens After You Submit the Function Report?

Once you submit the Function Report, the SSA will review your responses along with your medical records and other evidence in your file.

In some cases, the SSA may request additional information or schedule a consultative examination with a doctor to evaluate your condition.

You can check the status of your claim through your Social Security account or by contacting your local Social Security office.

How to Get Help with Your Social Security Disability Claim

Completing the Social Security Function Report is only one part of the disability application process. Many applicants find that the paperwork, medical evidence requirements, and evaluation process can quickly become overwhelming.

An experienced Social Security disability attorney can help ensure your application accurately reflects the severity of your limitations and includes the evidence needed to support your claim.

If you need help with a Social Security Disability claim, the team at Ortiz Law Firm is here to assist you. Call (888) 321-8131 for a free case evaluation to discuss your situation and learn how we can help you get the benefits you deserve.