Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

What is  Residual Functional Capacity or RFC?

Ordinarily, RFC is a function-by-function assessment of an individual's maximum ability to do sustained work-related physical and mental activities on a regular and continuing basis (8 hours a day, for 5 days a week) despite the limitations and restrictions resulting from his or her medically determinable impairments. In short, it accounts for an individual’s capacity for full-time work. 

Physical RFC (PRFC) is an individual’s medical condition evaluated in terms of the physical demands of work used in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and SCO.

Mental RFC (MRFC) is evaluated in terms of the mental demands of work set out in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

The sole purpose of assessing RFC is to determine an individual’s ability to work at steps 4 and 5.

Limitations

Define activity levels beyond which an individual is physically unable to perform on a sustained basis. Restrictions: Define activity levels beyond which it would be medically ill-advised for an individual to perform on a sustained basis.

Restrictions

Define activity levels beyond which it would be medically ill-advised for an individual to perform on a sustained basis.