Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) in Canada: What It Means for Your Disability Claim

A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is one of the most important—and often most stressful—assessments you may face during a disability claim. Insurance companies use these tests to measure your physical and cognitive abilities, compare them to your job demands, and decide whether to continue or cut off your benefits.

This guide explains what an FCE is, what to expect, and how to protect your LTD benefits if an insurer is using the assessment to question your limitations.

What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a detailed assessment performed by a trained clinician—usually an occupational therapist or physiotherapist. It measures your ability to perform work-related tasks, such as:

• Lifting, carrying, or pushing
• Walking, bending, standing, or sitting
• Hand strength and dexterity
• Stamina and endurance
• Balance and coordination
• Cognitive skills (in some cases)

Insurers request an FCE when they want “objective” data to challenge your doctor’s opinions or to see if you can return to work.

Cognitive Functional Capacity Evaluation

Some assessments include a cognitive functional capacity evaluation, which looks at:

• Memory
• Focus and attention
• Processing speed
• Problem-solving
• Multi-tasking
• Executive functioning

These evaluations are common in mental health disability claims, concussions, brain injuries, and conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia that affect cognitive stamina.

Why Insurance Companies Use FCEs

Insurance companies rely on FCEs to:

• Reassess benefits at the two-year “any occupation” change of definition
• Support a reduction or denial of LTD benefits
• Dispute your doctor’s medical restrictions
• Argue that you can perform a “light” or “sedentary” job
• Push you back to work sooner than medically appropriate

Even if the report is inaccurate or incomplete, insurers often give FCE results more weight than your own doctor’s opinion.

Functional Capacity Evaluation: What to Expect

While each clinic varies, a typical FCE lasts 2 to 6 hours and may include:

• Interviews about your symptoms
• Physical tasks such as lifting, reaching, carrying, or gripping
• Timed walking or standing tests
• Cognitive or concentration-based tasks
• Observations of pain behaviours, fatigue, or movement patterns
• Validity tests that insurers use to claim you are “not putting in full effort”

Important: Insurance companies sometimes use these validity tests unfairly to say you are exaggerating—especially in chronic pain, fatigue, or mental health cases.

How to Pass a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

People often search “how to pass a functional capacity evaluation,” but an FCE is not a test you pass or fail. It’s a report meant to document your genuine limitations. Trying to “beat” the FCE can backfire.

To protect your disability claim:

1. Be honest and consistent

Describe your symptoms the same way you have to your doctors.

2. Don’t push through pain

FCE providers often write: “Client did not stop despite clear pain behaviours.”
If something hurts, stop immediately and say so.

3. Pace yourself

Many chronic conditions worsen with repetitive tasks. If you feel fatigue or flare-ups, tell the evaluator.

4. Bring your medications

Take your prescribed meds as usual unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

5. Report changes during the test

If the pain worsens or you feel dizzy, nauseous, or anxious, let them know right away.

How to “Beat” a Functional Capacity Evaluation

People often search “how to beat a functional capacity evaluation,” especially when they worry the insurer is trying to cut them off.

The truth:
The only way to “beat” an FCE is to be truthful, be safe, and protect yourself legally.

Insurance companies can misuse FCE results, but the report is only one opinion. Your doctor’s medical evidence carries significant weight—especially if the FCE is inconsistent with your symptoms or medical history.

If an FCE leads to a denial, you should speak with a disability lawyer immediately before appealing.

Functional Capacity Evaluation for Disability Claims

In long-term disability claims, insurers commonly use FCEs at critical points:

• During the initial approval stage
• In ongoing reviews
• At the 24-month change of definition
• When cutting off benefits
• When pushing you toward a return-to-work plan

They may also combine the FCE with:

• Independent medical examinations (IMEs)
• Surveillance
• File reviews
• Vocational assessments
• Transferable skills analyses

If the insurer is insisting on an FCE, it usually means they’re questioning your disability.

Are You Required to Attend an FCE?

Most LTD policies allow insurers to request “reasonable” medical assessments. Whether an FCE is reasonable depends on:

• Your medical condition
• Your doctor’s recommendations
• The insurer’s past treatment of your file
• Whether the test could aggravate your condition

If attending an FCE could cause harm, your doctor’s opinion is essential.

What Happens If You Fail a Functional Capacity Evaluation?

Again, there is no true “fail,” but insurers may:

• Claim you can work despite your limitations
• Cut off your LTD benefits
• Push you into a return-to-work plan prematurel
• Use the report as “evidence” to deny your claim at the 2-year mark

You have rights. A disability lawyer can challenge an FCE report, obtain independent medical evidence, and force the insurer to honour your policy.

When to Contact a Disability Lawyer

If you’re being asked to attend an FCE—or if your benefits were denied or cut off after one—get legal advice before responding to the insurer.

Our disability lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help Canadians across the country challenge unfair FCE results and protect their long-term disability benefits.

There are no upfront fees. You don’t pay unless we win.

📞 Call us at 1-855-821-5900, email help@disabilityrights.ca, or use our online form for a FREE consultation.