An RFC categorizes an individual’s remaining work capacity

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Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) is an assessment of what a person can still do despite medical impairments, including physical, mental, and non-exertional limitations

It evaluates abilities such as:

• Physical tasks: lifting, carrying, standing, walking, sitting, reaching, and handling objects
• Mental tasks: concentration, memory, decision-making, and social interaction
• Non-exertional factors: environmental sensitivities, pain, balance issues, or fine motor limitations
  RFC is determined using medical records, observations from doctors, and sometimes testimony from medical experts or consultants Disability Secrets+1.

RFC charts are often aligned with the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (also called the “grid rules”), which classify work capacity into exertional levels:

RFC LevelDescriptionTypical Work CapacitySedentaryCan lift up to 10 lbs occasionally; stand/walk ≤ 2 hours/dayDesk jobs, light clerical workLightCan lift 20 lbs occasionally; stand/walk 6 hours/dayRetail, light assembly, office workMediumCan lift 50 lbs occasionally; stand/walk 6 hours/dayManual labor, warehouse workHeavyCan lift 100 lbs occasionally; stand/walk 6 hours/dayConstruction, industrial jobsVery HeavyCan lift >100 lbs occasionally; stand/walk 6 hours/daySpecialized heavy labor

These categories are used in combination with age, education, and work experience to determine whether a claimant can adjust to other work in the national economy Justia+1.

1. Step 4 of SSA evaluation: Determines if a claimant can perform past relevant work as actually or generally performed Justia.
2. Step 5 of SSA evaluation: Assesses if the claimant can adjust to other work based on RFC and vocational factors Justia.
3. Medical-Vocational Guidelines: Charts provide rules that combine RFC levels with age, education, and work experience to indicate disability status. For example, a person capable of only sedentary work, of advanced age, with limited education and unskilled work history, may be considered disabled under Rule 201.09 Justia+1.

• RFC charts are function-by-function assessments, not just a single score.
• They include physical, mental, and environmental limitations.
• They guide SSA decisions on whether a person can perform past work or adjust to other jobs.
• Charts are used alongside Medical-Vocational Guidelines to standardize disability determinations The United States Social Security Administration.
  Understanding RFC charts helps claimants and medical professionals document limitations accurately and anticipate how these limitations affect eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits HelpAdvisor.com.