How to Fill Out the Third-Party Adult Function Report (SSA-3380)

The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Third-Party Adult Function Report (SSA-3380) is one of those forms that often raises more questions than answers. Family members and friends are frequently surprised by how detailed it is and how much thought it requires. If you have been asked to complete this form for a loved one, it is completely normal to feel unsure about what the SSA is really looking for.

SSA-3380 is a critical part of the disability benefits process. It helps the Social Security Administration understand how a person’s medical conditions affect their ability to function in everyday life, as seen through the eyes of someone who knows them well. Unlike medical records or doctor opinions, this form focuses on real-world observations — what a person can and cannot do on a day-to-day basis.

When completed carefully, SSA-3380 can provide valuable supporting evidence in a disability claim. Understanding its purpose and how to answer each section thoughtfully can make a meaningful difference. The guide below walks you through the form so you can complete it accurately, confidently, and helpfully.

Understanding the Third-Party Adult Function Report (SSA-3380) and Why It Is Important

Before filling out the form, it helps to understand why Social Security requests it and how it fits into the disability evaluation process. SSA-3380 is designed to supplement, not replace, medical evidence. It is a third-party report completed by someone who knows the disability petitioner well. Its purpose is to describe how the disabled person’s impairments affect their daily activities, functioning, and independence. The SSA considers this form important because it provides real-life context that medical records alone cannot always capture.

While doctors document diagnoses, test results, and treatment, third parties can explain how those conditions play out at home, in social settings, and during routine activities. This real-world insight helps decision-makers better understand the claimant’s functional limitations.

What are the differences between SSA-3380 and the claimant’s SSA-3373?

The SSA-3380 is closely related to another form you may have heard of: the Adult Function Report (SSA-3373). The key difference is who completes them. SSA-3373 is filled out by the claimant, while SSA-3380 is completed by a third party. 

For a step-by-step guide from the claimant’s perspective, you can also review our prior post on how to fill out the Adult Function Report Form SSA-3373, which is often reviewed alongside the SSA-3380 in disability claims.

The SSA often compares these two forms. Consistency between them is important, but that does not mean they must be identical. Each form reflects a different perspective. Minor differences in wording or emphasis are expected and normal, as long as both describe the claimant’s limitations in a generally consistent way.

Who should complete SSA-3380?

The ideal person to complete the Third-Party Adult Function Report is someone who has regular, firsthand knowledge of the claimant’s daily functioning. The SSA values frequency of contact and direct observation far more than professional credentials.

Appropriate third parties include spouses, adult children, siblings, close friends, roommates, or caregivers. Anyone who regularly sees the claimant and understands their struggles can be a strong reporter. What matters most is that the person can describe what they personally observe. 

Medical providers should not complete SSA-3380. Treating physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists provide evidence through medical records, medical source statements, and consultative exams. The SSA relies on third-party function reports specifically to capture nonmedical, observational evidence.

The impact of your report on a disability claim

SSA-3380 is carefully reviewed by Disability Determination Services (DDS) adjudicators as part of the initial and reconsideration evaluation process. Although the form is not determinative on its own, it plays a meaningful role in how adjudicators assess the claimant’s functional limitations, daily activities, and overall credibility. 

DDS uses the information in the Third-Party Adult Function Report to compare reported functioning with medical records, consultative examination findings, and other third-party statements in the file. A detailed, consistent, and well-prepared report can reinforce the claimant’s reported difficulties, provide real-world context for medical impairments, and illustrate how symptoms translate into concrete limitations in everyday activities. When completed thoughtfully, the report can help bridge the gap between clinical findings and functional impact, reducing the risk that limitations are understated or misunderstood.

What Is The Purpose of SSA-3380? 

SSA-3380 helps SSA adjudicators understand how impairments affect routine activities such as personal care, household tasks, mobility, concentration, and social interaction. This broader view is essential when determining whether someone can sustain work activity.

• Residual functional capacity, or RFC, describes what a person can still do despite their limitations. Third-party observations help the SSA assess whether the claimant can perform activities consistently, safely, and over a full workday. Your examples of fatigue, pain, confusion, or the need for assistance are particularly relevant to this analysis.
• Sometimes, claimants minimize symptoms or struggle to describe their limitations. A third-party can provide insight into changes over time, coping strategies, or difficulties the claimant may not fully recognize. This outside perspective adds depth and credibility to the overall record.
• SSA-3380 can clarify inconsistencies, explain gaps in treatment, or provide context for medical evidence. It should not exaggerate or speculate, but it can help the SSA understand the full picture of the claimant’s daily struggles.
  
  

Preparing to Fill Out SSA-3380: Best Practices for Third-Party Reporters

Taking time to prepare before completing the form can improve its accuracy and usefulness.

• Gathering necessary information before you start. Before you begin, think about the claimant’s daily routine, their limitations, the help they need, and how their symptoms fluctuate. Reviewing medications, appointments, or recent changes can also be helpful. Preparation matters more than completing the form quickly.

• The importance of honesty, detail, and consistency. The SSA values accurate, specific information. Honest answers supported by concrete examples are far more persuasive than broad statements. Avoid exaggeration, but do not minimize difficulties either.

• Observing and documenting daily activities: A “disability journal” approach. Some people find it helpful to think in terms of patterns. How often does the claimant need reminders? How frequently do they rest? What tasks require assistance? Focusing on observable behavior helps ensure your responses are grounded in reality.

• How your report supports or supplements medical documentation. SSA-3380 does not replace medical records. Instead, it shows how medical conditions affect functioning outside the clinical setting. Together, these sources help the SSA make a more informed decision.

Section-by-Section Guide: Filling Out SSA-3380 Effectively

Each section of SSA-3380 serves a specific purpose in helping the Social Security Administration understand how the claimant functions outside of a clinical setting. Taking the time to answer each section carefully, thoroughly, and accurately allows DDS adjudicators to better evaluate the claimant’s real-world limitations. Thoughtful responses can help ensure that important details are not overlooked or misinterpreted.

Section A: General Identifying information (about the claimant and the person reporting information)

This section (questions 1 throught 7) establishes who is providing the information and why their observations should be considered reliable. It is important to provide accurate identifying details and clearly describe your relationship to the claimant, such as whether you are a spouse, family member, friend, or caregiver. Be specific about how long you have known the claimant and how frequently you interact with them daily, weekly, or only occasionally. The SSA uses this information to weigh the credibility and usefulness of your statements, so honesty and clarity are essential. Overstating your involvement can be just as harmful as understating it.

Section B: Information About Illnesses, Injuries, or Conditions.

This section ask one thing (question 8): How does this person’s illnesses, injuries, or conditions limit his/her ability to work? This is one of the most important questions on the entire SSA-3380.

Here, Social Security is not looking for medical diagnoses or technical language. Instead, focus on functional limitations, how the conditions affect basic work-related abilities such as standing, walking, sitting, lifting, using hands, concentrating, remembering instructions, interacting with others, or maintaining a regular schedule.

Describe what you observe in everyday terms. For example, explain that the claimant cannot stand more than a few minutes without pain, needs frequent breaks due to fatigue, becomes confused when following instructions, or has panic attacks around other people. Also note whether symptoms are consistent, intermittent, or worsening over time, since DDS evaluates whether a person can sustain work activity on a regular and continuing basis.

Section C: Information About Daily Activities 

This section is designed to show what the claimant’s daily life actually looks like outside of a medical setting.

• Questions 9-14: Daily routine, caregiving, and sleep
  You are asked to describe what the claimant does from waking up until going to bed. Provide a realistic picture of a typical day, including how long tasks take, how much effort is required, and whether activities are done independently or with help. If the claimant cares for other people or pets, explain what that care involves and whether anyone assists them. This helps DDS understand whether the claimant can handle responsibility, physical activity, and routine demands. When asked about sleep, describe how symptoms affect rest, such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking due to pain, nightmares, or excessive daytime fatigue.

• Question 15: Personal care
  This section addresses basic self-care activities such as dressing, bathing, grooming, feeding, and using the toilet. Even if the claimant can technically perform these tasks, explain if they do so slowly, with pain, inconsistently, or only with reminders or assistance. If the claimant needs reminders to shower, change clothes, or take medication, describe the type of help needed and how often.

• Question 16: Meals
  Explain whether the claimant prepares their own meals. If they do, describe the type of food (simple versus full meals), how often they cook, and how long it takes. Note any changes since the onset of disability, such as reliance on frozen meals, takeout, or others cooking for them. If they do not prepare meals, explain why (for example, pain, fatigue, cognitive issues, safety concerns).
• Question 17: House and yard work
  List chores the claimant can still do and how often. Describe how long tasks take and whether they require help, encouragement, or rest breaks. If the claimant no longer performs these activities, explain why, such as physical pain, limited mobility, or mental health symptoms.
• Question 18: Getting around
  Describe how often the claimant leaves the house, how they travel, and whether they can go out alone. If they no longer drive, explain why (for example, vision problems, anxiety, medications, or physical limitations).
• Question 19: Shopping
  Explain whether the claimant shops in person, online, or not at all. Describe what they shop for, how often, and how long it takes. Note any assistance needed.
• Question 20: Money
  Describe whether the claimant can handle basic financial tasks such as paying bills, counting change, or using a checkbook. If their ability has changed, explain how and why (for example, memory problems or difficulty concentrating).
• Questions 21–22: Hobbies and social activities
  List hobbies and interests and describe how often and how well the claimant engages in them. Note any decline in participation.For social activities, explain how the claimant spends time with others, whether they need reminders or accompaniment, and whether they have difficulty getting along with people. Describe any changes since the onset of disability, such as social withdrawal or isolation.

Section D: Information About Abilities 

This section focuses directly on physical, mental, and social functioning in work-related terms.

• Question 23: Functional abilities
  You are asked to check which abilities are affected, such as lifting, standing, walking, memory, concentration, or getting along with others. For each item checked, explain the specific limitation. Use measurable descriptions when possible, such as how far the claimant can walk, how long they can stand, or how much they can lift. Also describe attention span, ability to complete tasks, and how well the claimant follows written and spoken instructions. If the claimant struggles with authority figures, stress, or changes in routine, explain with examples. If the claimant has been fired or laid off due to interpersonal problems, describe what happened.

• Question 24: Assistive devices
  List any devices the claimant uses, such as a cane, walker, hearing aid, brace, or wheelchair. Note whether the device was prescribed by a doctor and when it is needed (for example, only outside the home or all the time).

• Question 25: Medications and side effects
  Indicate whether the claimant takes medication and whether any cause side effects. Only list medications that produce noticeable side effects and describe the functional impact, such as drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, or slowed thinking.

Section E: Remarks 

This final section allows you to provide any additional information that did not fit elsewhere. Use it to clarify inconsistencies, describe worsening symptoms, or highlight limitations you believe are especially important.

This is often the best place to explain the overall impact of the claimant’s condition in your own words. Avoid repeating earlier answers unless clarification is necessary. When used thoughtfully, the Remarks section can significantly strengthen the overall report.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Completing SSA-3380

Avoiding common mistakes can protect the credibility of the report. The following is a list of a few common errors that would be important to avoid: 

1. Vague or generic answers. Statements like “has trouble doing things” are less helpful than detailed explanations of what the claimant struggles with and why.
2. The risks of exaggeration or downplaying symptoms. Overstating limitations can raise credibility concerns, while minimizing them can weaken the claim. Aim for balanced, factual descriptions.
3. Ensuring consistency with the claimant’s report and medical evidence. Your report should generally align with other evidence in the file. Differences in wording are fine, but major contradictions can lead to confusion or follow-up requests.
4. Not utilizing the remarks section to its full potential. Leaving the remarks section blank can be a missed opportunity to clarify important issues or provide context.
5. Focusing solely on the diagnosis rather than functional limitations. The SSA evaluates how conditions affect daily functioning, not diagnoses alone. Always connect symptoms to their real-world impact.
6. Failing to properly indicate who completed the form and date the form. The name of the person who completed SSA-3380 must be stated clearly, and the form must be dated by the third party. An unidentified form may not be considered valid evidence.

After You Submit: What Happens Next with SSA-3380

Before submitting SSA-3380, take time to ensure the form is complete, accurate, and clearly written. Incomplete answers or inconsistencies can lessen its value or slow the review process.

After submission, the form becomes part of the official disability record and is evaluated by DDS together with medical evidence and the claimant’s own reports. Adjudicators look for consistency across the file when assessing functional limitations and credibility.

Although the form does not decide the case by itself, a well-prepared SSA-3380 can meaningfully support the claim by illustrating how impairments affect everyday life.

When to Seek Expert Help: The Role of a Disability Lawyer

In some cases, professional guidance can be especially valuable in navigating the Social Security disability process. Legal assistance is often beneficial in complex claims, after an initial denial, or when the medical and nonmedical evidence is incomplete, inconsistent, or difficult to interpret. A disability attorney or qualified representative can help organize and strengthen the record by identifying evidentiary gaps, clarifying inconsistencies, and ensuring that third-party statements, such as SSA-3380, are consistent with the overall theory of the case. Careful review and strategic presentation of all documentation can improve clarity, credibility, and cohesion across the file, helping adjudicators better understand the claimant’s functional limitations.

 If you or a loved one needs guidance at any stage of the disability process, LaPorte Law Firm is available to provide experienced, compassionate support and help ensure your claim is presented as effectively as possible. Schedule a consultation today.

FAQs