How to Answer “For how long can you pay attention?” on SSA Form 3373 (Function Report)

Form 3373Forms

Nov 25

Introduction

Most people don’t walk around timing how long they can pay attention. You usually notice it only when something goes wrong—when you lose the thread of a TV show, forget what you walked into a room to do, or realize you tuned out halfway through someone’s instructions.

Social Security turns that everyday problem into a single line on the Adult Function Report (Form SSA-3373-BK), Section D, Question 20(d):

“For how long can you pay attention?”

SSA is not testing you with a stopwatch. They want a real-world picture of how long you can usually stay with a task before pain, fatigue, mood, or thinking problems pull your mind away.

This article is meant to explain this question in plain language. It is general information, not legal advice about any one case. You can use it to help you think about your own situation and then describe your experience in your own words.

If you’d like to see more articles in this series, you can visit the Form 3373 Resource Hub on Start Disability:

https://www.startdisability.com/form-3373-resource-hub

Why SSA Asks About “How Long You Can Pay Attention”

Question 20(d) is really about concentration, persistence, and pace over time—how long you can stay focused on a task before you drift, need a break, or lose track of what you are doing.

Under Social Security’s mental-impairment rules, decision makers must rate your functioning in four broad areas:

Understanding, remembering, or applying information
Interacting with others
Concentrating, persisting, or maintaining pace
Adapting or managing oneself

SSA sometimes calls these four areas the “Paragraph B” criteria in its mental health rules. They are described in Social Security’s regulations at 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520a(c)(3) and in the mental-disorders section of the Blue Book.

Your answer to Question 20(d) is one piece of information that helps SSA understand the “concentrate, persist, or maintain pace” area—especially when they compare it to the rest of your form, your medical records, and any other statements in your file.

SSA also has to assess your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—what you can still do on a regular, ongoing basis despite your medical conditions. Under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545, RFC includes both physical and mental abilities, such as the ability to stay on task, follow through, and keep up with ordinary work rhythm.

SSA’s symptom-evaluation policy, SSR 16-3p, tells examiners to look at whether your description of your symptoms (like poor focus or short attention span) is consistent with the medical and other evidence in your file, not to judge your character. Your answer to this question is one of the statements they compare with treatment records, testing, and daily-activity descriptions.

If you want an easy way to look up how SSA’s Blue Book describes different conditions, you can use the Start Disability Blue Book quick lookup tool:

https://www.startdisability.com/ssa-bluebook-quick-lookup-tool

Where Question 20(d) Fits on Form SSA-3373

Question 20(d) sits in Section D – Information About Abilities, surrounded by other questions about focus and instructions:

20(d): For how long can you pay attention?
20(e): Do you finish what you start?
20(f): How well do you follow written instructions?
20(g): How well do you follow spoken instructions?

All of these questions together help SSA see patterns in your concentration and follow-through, not just individual moments. For example:

A short attention span might connect with difficulty finishing tasks.
Trouble following multi-step written or spoken instructions might fit with a limited ability to stay focused.

SSA will usually compare your answers here with:

Your medical records (for example, notes about attention, memory, brain fog, fatigue, or mood symptoms)
Any testing (such as neuropsychological evaluations)
Other parts of your Function Report (reading, TV, hobbies, chores, shopping, driving)

SSA does not decide a claim based on this one question alone. They read it together with the rest of your Function Report and your medical records to understand how you function from day to day.

How to Think About Your Own Attention Span

Question 20(d) looks like a simple timing question, but most people need to think a bit before they answer. Here are some angles people often consider when they reflect on their own experience.

1. Think in minutes, not perfection

Most people do not know an exact number of minutes. You do not have to time yourself with a stopwatch.

Instead, many people think in rough ranges:

“Only a minute or two before my mind wanders”
“About 5–10 minutes before I need to shift or be reminded”
“Maybe 20–30 minutes if it’s quiet and I’m interested”
“An hour or more if I’m having a better day”

The key idea is how long you usually stay focused on a simple task (like a conversation, basic TV show, or short chore) before symptoms interfere—not how long you wish you could focus, and not an occasional very good day.

2. Typical days vs. rare good (or terrible) days

SSA is most interested in what you can do on a regular and continuing basis, not the rare day when you feel much better or much worse.

When you think about your answer, you might ask yourself:

“Over the last few weeks or months, what does my attention usually look like?”
“Do I often get distracted, or is that only once in a while?”
“If I push myself to focus longer, what happens afterward? Do I crash or pay for it later?”

It can help to imagine a typical week, not just yesterday. Some people even keep brief notes for a few days about how long they can stick with simple tasks, just to see their own pattern before they answer.

3. Different tasks, different attention

Most people can focus longer on simple or automatic tasks than on complex ones. For example:

You might keep a TV show on for an hour but realize your mind keeps drifting in and out.
You might follow a 5-minute conversation but lose track of longer discussions or complex topics.
You might scroll on your phone but be unable to concentrate on a form, a book, or serious paperwork.

When you think about “how long you can pay attention,” you might picture:

A basic, everyday task like listening to a short conversation, following a simple TV show, or doing a single light chore.
How long you can stay on that task before you:
- Lose track of what is happening
- Forget what you were doing
- Need a break because of pain, fatigue, anxiety, or other symptoms

If your attention changes a lot depending on the type of task, it may be worth mentioning that in your answer or in the Remarks section.

4. Connect attention problems to your symptoms

SSA is not just asking how long you can focus in general. They are interested in why your attention is limited and how that relates to your medical conditions.

People often notice patterns like:

Brain fog, memory, or cognitive changes
- Losing your place in a conversation
- Forgetting what someone just said or what you just read
- Difficulty following a story, movie, or directions without repeating
Pain, fatigue, or physical discomfort
- Needing to change positions or lie down before you can finish an activity
- Finding that pain or exhaustion makes your mind “shut down”
- Only being able to focus for a few minutes before your symptoms flare
Mental-health symptoms (anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, etc.)
- Mind wandering, racing thoughts, or feeling “frozen”
- Avoiding tasks that require concentration because they feel overwhelming
- Getting easily overwhelmed by noise, crowds, or multi-step tasks
Medication side effects
- Drowsiness or grogginess
- Slowed thinking or feeling “spaced out”

You do not have to list every diagnosis, but it can help to briefly connect your attention span to the symptoms you actually experience.

For example, some people with ADHD describe being able to focus only a few minutes on boring or routine tasks (like forms or household chores) before their mind jumps to something else, even if they can sometimes "hyperfocus" much longer on a favorite hobby or special interest. On the form, they might give a short range (for example, “about 5 minutes on most tasks”) and mention that they need reminders, timers, or very small steps to stay with a task.

Some people with depression or anxiety describe attention that fades because their thoughts are slowed down, heavy, or stuck on worries. They may notice that they read the same paragraph over and over without taking it in, or that pain and worry make them lose track of conversations after a few minutes. On the form, they might give a range for a typical day and briefly explain that low mood, fatigue, or anxious thoughts are what break their focus.

5. Notice what you do to cope

Many people use tools or support to manage limited attention, such as:

Phone alarms or timers
Written lists or sticky notes
Breaking tasks into very small steps
Quiet rooms, noise-cancelling headphones, or avoiding distractions
A person who reminds them to get back on task or stay focused

If you only stay on task with help, or only manage attention in very controlled settings, your answer may reflect that reality.

Educational Example “Styles” (Not Instructions)

Below are educational-only example styles to show the kind of detail some people use when they describe their attention. These are not instructions on what to write. Your answer needs to match your own experience.

Mild attention difficulty

“I can usually pay attention for around 30 minutes in a quiet setting, but I get distracted more easily if there is noise or stress.”

Here, attention is somewhat limited, but the person can often stay on task for longer periods with the right conditions.

Moderate attention difficulty

“I can usually focus for about 10–15 minutes before my mind wanders or pain distracts me. I need reminders or breaks to get back on task and often forget what I was doing.”

This style shows a reasonably short attention span that still allows some functioning, but with clear limits and the need for support.

Severe attention difficulty

“My attention is very short. After 2–3 minutes, I lose track of conversations or chores and need things repeated. On bad days, I cannot follow even simple tasks without someone guiding me step by step.”

This kind of description reflects very limited attention and high reliance on others.

Again, these are not model answers to copy. They are just illustrations of tone and level of detail.

Common Mistakes with Question 20(d)

Here are patterns that sometimes create confusion for examiners when they read this part of the form.

Giving only a number with no context
Writing something like “15 minutes” by itself leaves questions:
- 15 minutes doing what?
- On a good day or a usual day?
- With or without breaks?
Describing only your very best or very worst day
SSA is interested in your typical ability over time. If your attention changes, it can help to mention the usual pattern and how often you have much worse days.
All-or-nothing statements that don’t match the rest of the form
Saying “I can’t pay attention at all” may raise questions if other parts of the form say you read books, manage finances, or watch complex shows regularly. Sometimes the truth is more like: “I can only do those things in short bursts,” which can be clearer.
Ignoring how symptoms and environment matter
Many people focus better in a quiet room than in a busy waiting area. Others fall apart when pain or fatigue rises. Leaving that out can make your answer seem unrealistic.
Leaving out tools and support
If you only stay on task because someone reminds you, or because you use alarms, lists, or a strict routine, forgetting to mention that can make you look more independent than you really are.

📝 Pro Tip: SSA compares your answer to Question 20(d) with other answers on Form 3373, medical records, and sometimes third-party statements. Keeping your explanation specific, realistic, and consistent can help the examiner understand your situation without guessing.

How SSA Uses Your Answer in the RFC Process

Your answer to “For how long can you pay attention?” plays into how SSA describes your mental RFC—what kind of work, if any, you might be able to do on a regular and continuing basis.

Depending on the rest of the evidence, examiners and judges may consider whether you are limited to things like:

Simple, routine tasks instead of complex, detailed work
Work that allows extra time to learn tasks or relies on repetition
Jobs with few changes, limited distractions, or slower pace
Work that allows regular breaks or a certain amount of time off task

Internal guidance like POMS DI 24510.057 (Mental Limitations) and the RFC rules in 20 C.F.R. § 404.1545 remind examiners that they must look at how your symptoms affect your ability to concentrate and stay on task, not just whether you have a diagnosis. Your description on 20(d), combined with medical notes and other parts of the form, helps them make that judgment.

If you’d like to see how a full Function Report can look in practice, Start Disability has an educational example for esophageal cancer:

https://www.startdisability.com/3373-sample-answers-forms/function-report-esophageal-cancer

This sample is not a template to copy, but it can give you a feel for how daily limitations and attention issues sometimes show up across the form.

When to Use the Remarks Section for Question 20(d)

The space next to Question 20(d) is small, so many people feel they need a little extra room to explain patterns, especially when attention varies.

Some examples of when people sometimes choose to add a short note in the Remarks section (Section E) include:

Their attention span is much shorter during flares, seizures, migraines, or bad mental-health days.
They can focus longer on passive activities (like simple TV) than on active tasks (like reading mail or filling out forms).
They can only maintain attention with help (prompts, reminders, supervision).
Their attention is very different morning vs. evening because of medications or fatigue.

If someone uses the Remarks section, they often label it clearly (for example, “Question 20(d) – Attention”) and keep it to a brief, factual explanation. The form itself asks you to explain any answers that need more detail in that section.

Expert Insight: How Different Decision Makers Look at Question 20(d)

Again, this section is educational and general; it is not advice about any individual case.

DDS Examiner perspective
- Compares your reported attention span with treatment notes, test results, and other daily activities.
- Looks for consistency with related questions (finishing tasks, following instructions, hobbies, social activities).
- May see a short attention span as supporting limits in pace, persistence, or the need for more supervision.
Attorney or representative perspective (general)
- Often pays attention to whether your described attention span matches how you explain your work history and daily routine.
- May look at whether short attention supports limits such as simple tasks, low stress, or extra breaks in an RFC.
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) perspective
- At a hearing, may ask follow-up questions if your spoken testimony about focus seems different from what you wrote on Form 3373.
- Looks at the whole record—including Question 20(d), other parts of the Function Report, medical evidence, and any opinions from doctors or specialists—before deciding what your attention limits really are.

The common thread: clear, realistic, and consistent descriptions of your attention span help all of these decision makers understand your functioning more accurately.

Key Takeaways

Question 20(d), “For how long can you pay attention?”, helps SSA understand your ability to concentrate, persist, and maintain pace over time.
Think about your usual attention span in minutes or ranges, not a perfect number, and focus on what you can do on a regular basis.
Connect your attention span to your symptoms, environment, and any tools or support you need.
Avoid one-word or all-or-nothing answers; a brief, realistic description is usually more helpful.
If the short line on the form isn’t enough, some people use the Remarks section to clarify patterns or variability in their attention.

FAQ – Question 20(d): “For how long can you pay attention?”

Q: How exact does my answer need to be for “For how long can you pay attention?”

A: It usually does not need to be exact down to the minute. Many people give a reasonable range based on their everyday experience (for example, “about 10–15 minutes” or “only a few minutes before I lose track”). SSA is looking for a realistic description, not a perfect measurement.

Q: What if I can watch TV for hours but still have trouble paying attention?

A: Many people can keep a TV on for a long time but are not truly following what’s happening. SSA is especially interested in whether you can pay attention to goal-directed tasks, such as conversations, instructions, reading mail, or following through with chores. If you have the TV on but your mind is drifting or you miss large parts of the show, that is different from sustained attention to a task.

Q: My attention changes from day to day. How do I show that on the form?

A: It’s common for attention to fluctuate. On the main line for Question 20(d), many people describe their typical pattern (for example, “about 5–10 minutes on most days”). If it matters that you sometimes do better or much worse—for example, during migraines, flares, or severe mood days—some people briefly note that pattern either on the line itself or in the Remarks section. Some people also keep a short journal for a week or so, writing down how long they can stay with a few simple tasks each day. This kind of note is mainly for your own use, so you can see your usual range more clearly before you fill out the form; you do not have to send it to SSA unless you choose to.

Q: Do I need to mention alarms, lists, or other tools I use to stay focused?

A: If you rely on tools or other people to stay on task—like alarms, reminders, written lists, or someone prompting you—mentioning that can give SSA a clearer picture of how you function. It can show that your attention span is limited without support, even if you manage some tasks with those tools.

Q: I have ADHD, depression, or anxiety. Should I mention that in my answer?

A: Many people do mention mental-health conditions like ADHD, depression, or anxiety when they explain how long they can pay attention, but the most helpful part is usually a brief description of how those conditions affect your focus. For example, you might say that ADHD makes your mind jump to other things after a few minutes, or that low mood and worry make you lose track of conversations. The form is not looking for a full diagnosis list here—just a short, honest picture of what breaks your attention.

Q: Does a short attention span by itself qualify me for SSDI?

A: No single answer on Form 3373 decides whether someone is disabled. SSA looks at the whole record: medical evidence, all your forms, work history, and sometimes hearing testimony. Question 20(d) is just one part of how they evaluate your ability to concentrate, persist, and maintain pace over time.