CONCENTRATION PERSISTENCE AND PACE ISSUES

If you have significant deficits in concentration, persistence and pace--you ma have a good disability claim.

Concentration is the ability to remain focused and on task.  Nearly all jobs require the ability to concentrate up to 2 hours at a time and for 8 hours per work day.  If you are off task more than about 10 percent of the time, then you probably would not be able to hold a full-time job.

Persistence means the ability to perform work day in and day out, 5 days per week, 8 hours per day or on an equivalent schedule.  Let's say you have certain days you can work an 8-hour day but you have certain days you cannot.  You have a persistence problem.  Also, you might be able to work a few hours each day but cannot complete an 8 hour shift regularly.  This is also a persistence problem.  You might have pain or other symptoms that would require more than the usual number of breaks during an 8-hour workday.  This is a persistence problem.

Pace means the ability to meet the demands of the work schedule, keeping up with the demands of your employer in terms of turning out sufficient work in a sufficient time period. Even though a job may not require a "production rate," all workers are expected to turn out a certain amount of work each hour or each day.  If you cannot do so, you have issues of pace.  Let's say you can do the same job that everyone else does but it takes you longer.  Employers woud normally terminate you and hire someone who can work at a normal pace.

Disability doesn't necessarily mean the inability to stand, walk or lift.  Symptoms that are much less obvious can also be disabling.  That's why I cringe when I hear someone saying things like, "My neighbor is not disabled because I see him --------- (doing thus and so)."  Disability is not being able to perform a job 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks out of the year.  So, mowing the lawn for 30 minutes or washing your car is a far cry from working an 8 hour day.