Development of ICF core set for disability evaluation in social security

The purpose of this paper is to report on the development of an ICF core set for functional assessment in disability claims in European social security systems.

A formal decision-making process was applied. First, national meetings suggested categories to be included in the core set. Thereafter, the members of EUMASS working group for ICF selected a core set based on these suggestions, in a formal voting procedure.

From 191 different suggestions for ICF categories given by the national meetings, 20 were selected for the core set. Five were from body functions and 15 from activities and participation. No category from environmental factors was included.

The EUMASS working group successfully reached consensus on a core set for functional assessments in disability benefit claims. The core set is generic, and should be used by medical doctors. It is intended for evaluation of rights to long term benefits. For the assessment in short term sickness absence, return to work, and vocational rehabilitation, other core sets need to be developed. The usefulness of the ICF qualifiers for the level of functioning in disability assessment has yet to be established.