CONCENTRATION, PERSISTENCE AND PACE ISSUES
If a worker cannot maintain concentration, persistence and pace, he or she may be disabled and eligible for benefits. Social Security views work as the ability to sustain work like activity 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, or an equivalent schedule. In addition, the worker must not be excessively off task, must not require additional rest breaks and must work at a fast enough pace to meet the job's demands. Concentration: Most experts recognize that every worker will be off task about 5 to 9 percent of the time. However, concentration can be decreased by pain, discomfort, anxiety, depression or other psychological factors. When a worker is persistently off task 10 percent of the time or more, during an 8-hour workday, he may not be able to sustain work and would be legally disabled. Persistence: The regulations consider full-time work to be 8 hours a day, 5 days a week or an equivalent schedule. (SSR 96.9(p)). A person may be able ...