Reconsideration Phase
 

Hi all - Months ago I decided to have an FCE (functional capacity evaluation). I was miserable and suffering bad after the FCE. I believe the report is being provided to SSDI by my attorney at the Reconsideration Phase. Can new info be submitted to SSDI at the Reconsideration Phase? Does anyone who has worked at SS know how SSDI evaluates FCE reports? I am wondering what my chances are of being approved at this Phase. Thanks

Yes you can provide new medical documentation.

You should know what's in your SS file so you can verify they have all your important med records, as well as read how the adjudicator formed the decision to deny you. Ask your attorney for a copy of your SS file on CD.

SS should use the FCE report while determining your RFC rating--not to be confused with RFC reports your doc/s fill out. Your RFC rating can be set for Sedentary, Light or Medium Work. This comes into play when either using the Grid Rules or the 5 Step Sequential Process. With the 5 Step Sequential Process, step 4 is if you can still perform your previous work. If SS says yes, you are denied. If SS says no, they move on to step 5, can you perform any work, and determine what jobs you can perform listed in the DOT based upon the RFC rating they've set.

Very few applicants are approved at the Reconsideration Level.

thanks Lit Love! Sounds like there is not much benefit to even submitting an FCE if very few applicants are approved at the Reconsideration Level.

You want it part of the record and if you aren't approved at the Reconsideration level, you'll eventually have an ALJ hearing. Although the odds are low at this stage, it doesn't mean you and your attorney shouldn't take it seriously--if nothing else it should be could prep work for understanding how far or close you are to being approved.