An apparatus (10) is used with a vehicle seat (2) and a vehicle floor pan (4) for supporting the vehicle seat. A sensor lever (100) transmits the load of the vehicle occupant from the vehicle seat (2) to the vehicle floor pan (4). The sensor lever (100) has a first end portion (102), a second end portion (112), and a middle portion (122) interposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion (122) of the sensor lever (100) is movable with the vehicle seat (2). The sensor lever (100) has a first sensor portion (107) disposed between the middle portion (122) and the first end portion (102). The sensor lever (100) has a second sensor portion (109) disposed between the middle portion (122) and the second end portion (112). The first and second sensor portions (107, 109) bend as the vehicle seat (2) moves vertically relative to the vehicle floor pan (4). A carrier structure (150) rigidly connects to the sensor lever (100) at the first end portion (102) and the second end portion (112) for connection to the vehicle seat (2). The first and second sensor portions (107,109) provide an output signal indicative of the amount of movement of the middle portion (122).