Washington Administrative Code › Title 388 - Social and Health Services, Department of › ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS › Chapter 388-449 - Aged, blind, or disabled › Section 388-449-0030 - How does the department evaluate functional capacity for physical impairments?

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
If you have a physical impairment, we evaluate your ability
				  to work based on objective medical evidence from a medical professional as
				  described in WAC
				  388-449-0010. We may also use
				  other evidence as described in WAC
				  388-449-0010.
(1)
"Exertion level"
means
				having strength, flexibility, and mobility to lift, carry, stand or walk as
				needed to fulfill job duties in the following work levels. For this section,
				"occasionally" means less than one-third of the time and "frequently" means
				one-third to two-thirds of the time.
The following table is used to determine your exertion level.
				  Included in this table is a strength factor, which is your ability to perform
				  physical activities, as defined in Appendix C of the Dictionary of Occupational
				  Titles (DOT), Revised Edition, published by the U.S. Department of Labor as
				  posted on the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
If you are able to:
Then we assign this exertion
								level
(a) Lift ten pounds maximum and frequently lift or
								carry lightweight articles. Walking or standing only for brief periods.
Sedentary
(b) Lift twenty pounds maximum and frequently lift
								or carry objects weighing up to ten pounds. Walk six out of eight hours per day
								or stand during a significant portion of the workday. Sitting and using pushing
								or pulling arm or leg movements most of the day.
Light
(c) Lift fifty pounds maximum and frequently lift
								or carry up to twenty-five pounds.
Medium
(d) Lift one hundred pounds maximum and frequently
								lift or carry up to fifty pounds.
Heavy
(2)
"Exertional limitation"
means a restriction in mobility, agility
				or flexibility in the following twelve activities: balancing, bending,
				climbing, crawling, crouching, handling, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching,
				sitting, and stooping. We consider any exertional limitations when we determine
				your ability to work.
(3)
"Functional physical capacity"
means the degree of strength,
				agility, flexibility, and mobility you can apply to work-related activities. We
				consider the effect of the physical impairment on the ability to perform
				work-related activities when the severity of the physical impairment(s) is
				moderate, marked, or severe. We determine functional physical capacity based on
				your exertional and nonexertional limitations. All limitations must be
				substantiated the medical evidence and directly related to the diagnosed
				impairment(s).
(4)
"Nonexertional physical limitation"
means a restriction on work
				activities that does not affect strength, mobility, agility, or flexibility.
				Nonexertional restrictions may include, among other things, your inability to
				work at heights or in an area where you would be exposed to
				chemicals.
(5)
"Functional
				limitations"
means a restriction on work activities related to
				unrelieved pain or the effects of prescribed medication. We determine your
				functional limitations based on objective documentation from a medical
				professional as described in WAC
				388-449-0010. We may also use
				other evidence as described in WAC
				388-449-0010. We evaluate
				functioning by assessing your ability to:
(a)
				Perform activities within a schedule, maintain regular attendance, and be
				punctual within customary tolerances.
(b) Perform routine tasks without undue
				supervision.
(c) Make simple
				work-related decisions.
(d) Be
				aware of normal hazards and take appropriate precautions.
(e) Ask simple questions or request
				assistance.
(f) Maintain
				appropriate behavior in a work setting.