Will Social Security Use My Daily Activities Against Me?

Will Social Security Use My Daily Activities Against Me?

One of the most common concerns disability claimants have is: “If I can still grocery shop, drive a car, or attend church, does that mean Social Security will deny my claim?”

Unfortunately, daily activities frequently become an issue in Social Security Disability cases. However, many claimants misunderstand how those activities should be evaluated.

Why Does Social Security Look at Daily Activities?

When determining whether someone is disabled, Social Security evaluates how a medical condition affects everyday functioning.  As part of that evaluation, Social Security may consider activities such as:

• Driving;
• Shopping;
• Household chores;
• Attending appointments;
• Managing finances;
• Caring for personal hygiene.

The purpose is to better understand how the claimant functions on a day-to-day basis.  One of the biggest mistakes made in disability cases is assuming that because a claimant can occasionally perform certain daily activities, they must therefore be capable of full-time employment. In reality, many disabled individuals carefully structure their lives around their impairments. They may spread activities over several days, require frequent rest breaks, rely upon family members for assistance, or pay a physical price afterward in the form of increased pain, fatigue, or other symptoms. The ability to occasionally perform a task under one’s own conditions is very different from the ability to perform work activities eight hours a day, five days a week in a competitive work environment.

The Ability to Perform an Activity Does Not Necessarily Mean the Ability to Work

This is where many disability claims become complicated.  A person may be capable of:

• Going to the grocery store once a week;
• Attending church occasionally;
• Visiting family members;
• Preparing simple meals.

Yet still be completely incapable of maintaining full-time competitive employment.  Working eight hours a day, five days a week is very different from performing occasional daily activities.

Good Days and Bad Days

Many disabling conditions fluctuate.  A claimant may be able to perform an activity on a good day but be unable to perform the same activity consistently.

Disability cases often involve evaluating a person’s ability to function over time—not on a single day.

Context Matters

Social Security should not evaluate activities in isolation.

Questions that often matter include:

• How long does the activity take?
• How much pain does it cause?
• Is assistance required?
• How often can it be performed?
• Does the person need to rest afterward?

These details frequently tell a much different story than a simple checklist of activities.

The issue is not whether a person can perform some activities now and then; the issue is whether they can sustain competitive employment on a regular and continuing basis, and those are very different questions.

Daily activities can become important evidence in a disability claim; however, the ability to perform occasional activities does not automatically mean a person is capable of maintaining full-time employment.

If you or someone you care for has recently been denied Social Security Disability benefits, or if you just have questions about your right to disability benefits, please do not hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced  Social Security Disability Lawyers at Powell and Denny today for a free consultation; and remember, virtual appointments are available through Zoom so you can meet with one of the attorneys of Powell and Denny from wherever you live. And remember, there is no fee unless you win.

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