Disability evaluation, social security, and the international classification of functioning, disability and health: the time is now.

OBJECTIVE: To present the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a standard in disability evaluation and to discuss the usefulness and challenges of the ICF when applied in disability evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS: Disability evaluation can be described and measured using the ICF and ICF-related tools such as the Generic Set, ICF Core Sets specific to health conditions or settings, and measurement instruments that have been linked to the ICF. Wide implementation of the ICF in disability evaluation, specifically in work disability and social security, is needed along with education on the ICF of those in occupational medicine, work rehabilitation, disability adjudication, policy and legislation, and government agencies. The ICF can be used to provide disability criteria in determining functional and work capacity and as a reference framework and a language of disability to help facilitate a common ground of understanding.