EspañolA surprising question that arises in Social Security Disability claims is whether everyday chores like laundry can hurt your chances of approval. Attorney Josh and Jeremy Worley confirms that there is truth to this concern. The SSA actively considers your ability to perform household tasks—such as laundry, cooking, dishes, or yard work—when evaluating your claim. Forms at every stage ask about daily activities, and your answers can significantly impact how the agency views your functional limitations.
The critical nuance lies in how you communicate your abilities. If you simply state you can do laundry, the SSA may assume you can perform light work. However, if you explain that it takes two days, requires frequent breaks, or that you can only manage small loads for short periods, you paint an accurate picture of your limitations. Honesty is essential, but so is providing context. Overstating your capabilities—or failing to explain the struggle behind the task—can lead to a denial. Even activities like mowing the lawn can be major red flags if described without caveats.
Myth Verdict
True. Yes, doing laundry—or any household chore—can impact your disability claim. How you describe these activities on forms and during hearings can influence the SSA's perception of your ability to perform work-related functions.
Key Insights
- Daily activities are scrutinized: The SSA uses forms to assess your functional capacity through everyday tasks.
- Context is everything: Saying you "can do laundry" is different from saying it takes two days with frequent breaks.
- Honesty with caveats: Always be truthful, but explain the limitations, struggles, and accommodations involved in completing chores.
- Certain chores raise flags: Mowing the yard, in particular, can signal to the SSA that you might handle physical work.
- Every word matters: Simple answers can be misinterpreted; careful communication is essential to an accurate evaluation.
