Work Descriptions and Medical-Vocational Terms

These work descriptions and terms are used in the medical-vocational evaluation of Social Security disability claims at steps 4 and 5 of the sequential evaluation. A disability examiner (disability caseworker) or medical consultant in the state Disability Office (DDS) utilizes these descriptions in completing a "Physical Residual Functional Capacity Assessment" (RFC) form to describe the most work activity you can do on a sustained basis in an 8-hour work day despite your medical condition.

To better understand this concept, click on the link below to download and view the RFC form as a fill-in-the-blank Word template.

Physical Residual Functional Capacity Assessment

  • Frequently – occurring one-third to two-thirds of an 8-hour work day (cumulative, not continuous)
  • Occasionally – occurring from very little up to one-third of an 8-hour work day (cumulative, not continuous)
  • Exertional activity – strength activities - sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling
  • Nonexertional activity – work activities - mental abilities, vision, hearing, speech, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, fingering or feeling

Sedentary Work

Exertional activity

  • Occasionally lift and/or carry 10 lbs Frequently lift and/or carry 10 lbs
  • Requires lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tool
  • Stand and/or walk at least 2 hours in an 8-hour work day
  • Sit at least 6 hours in an 8-hour work day

Nonexertional activity

  • Stooping (bending at the waist) and crouching (stooping and bending at the knees) - required only occasionally in most sedentary jobs
  • Handling (grasping) and fingering (fine manipulation) - required frequently in both upper extremities in most sedentary jobs
  • Most unskilled sedentary jobs require good use of the hands and fingers for repetitive hand-finger actions

Light Work

Exertional activity

  • Occasionally lift and/or carry 20 lbs
  • Frequently lift and/or carry 10 lbs
  • Usually involves (to some degree) grasping, holding, and turning objects
  • Does not require use of the fingers for fine activities to the extent required in most sedentary work
  • Usually requires standing and/or walking approximately 6 hours in an 8-hour work day
  • Or when it involves sitting most of the time, requires some pushing or pulling of arm or leg controls, such as a sewing machine operator
  • Many unskilled light jobs are performed primarily in one location, with the ability to stand being more critical than the ability to walk

Nonexertional activity

  • Stooping (bending at the waist) and crouching (stooping and bending at the knees) - required only occasionally in most light work
  • Handling (grasping) and fingering (fine manipulation) - required frequently in at least one upper extremity in most light work

Important: The functional capacity to perform light work includes the functional capacity to perform sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time

Medium Work

Exertional activity

  • Occasionally lift and/or carry 50 lbs
  • Frequently lift and/or carry 25 lbs
  • Being able to frequently lift or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds is often more critical than being able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time
  • Stand and/or walk at least 6 hours in an 8-hour work day
  • Very few medium occupations in the national economy are performed primarily in a sitting position

Nonexertional activity

  • Stooping (bending at the waist) and crouching (stooping and bending at the knees) - required frequently in most medium jobs
  • Handling (grasping) - required frequently in most medium jobs
  • Fingering (fine manipulation) - required only occasionally in most medium jobs

Important: The functional capacity to perform medium work includes the functional capacity to perform sedentary and light work

Heavy Work

Exertional activity

  • Occasionally lift and/or carry 100 lbs
  • Frequently lift and/or carry 50 lbs
  • Stand and/or walk at least 6 hours in an 8-hour work day

 Nonexertional activity

  • Stooping (bending at the waist) and crouching (stooping and bending at the knees) - required frequently
  • Handling (grasping) - required frequently
  • Fingering (fine manipulation) - required only occasionally

Important: The functional capacity to perform heavy work includes the functional capacity to perform medium, light and sedentary work