What "Under Review" means for your SSDI appeal

When the Social Security Administration (SSA) tells you your appeal is "under review," it means a claims examiner or administrative law judge has your case file and is reading through your medical records, work history, and the evidence you submitted. The case is no longer sitting in a queue waiting to be assigned — someone is actively working on it. This is progress, but it does not mean a decision is coming soon.

The length of the review period depends on which level of appeal you are at. If you appealed a denial at the reconsideration level (the first appeal), review typically takes 3 to 6 months. If you are at the hearing level before an administrative law judge, the review period after your hearing is usually 2 to 6 months, though some cases take longer. The SSA does not publish exact timelines because the speed depends on how complex your medical records are and how busy the office handling your case is.

You cannot speed up the review by calling or visiting an SSA office. The examiner or judge assigned to your case works through cases in the order they were assigned, and inquiries from claimants do not move a case forward. However, you can take specific actions to strengthen what the reviewer sees when they open your file.

Key Takeaways

  • While your appeal is under review, a claims examiner or judge is reading your file, but you will not hear anything until a decision is issued.
  • You can submit new medical evidence at any time before a decision is made, and it will be added to your file for the reviewer to consider.
  • If you have not seen your own medical records, request them from your doctors now — the reviewer will see them, and you should too.
  • Do not stop treatment or miss appointments during the review period, because gaps in medical care weaken your case.
  • The SSA will contact you only when a decision has been made; you do not need to check in or provide updates unless your address or phone number changes.

Submitting new medical evidence while your case is under review

The review period is your opportunity to add evidence that was not in your original process. If you have had new test results, a recent hospitalization, a new diagnosis, or a letter from your doctor describing how your condition affects your ability to work, send it to SSA now. Write your name and Social Security number on the outside of the envelope, and mail it to the office handling your appeal — this address should be on the letter telling you your case is under review.

Medical evidence submitted during the review period becomes part of your official file and the reviewer will see it. Evidence submitted after a decision has been issued can only be used if you appeal again, so the timing matters. If you are waiting for test results or a doctor's appointment, do not delay sending what you have. A recent medical record is more useful than a perfect one that arrives after the decision.

You do not need to write a cover letter or explain why you are sending the evidence. The SSA will file it in your case folder. If you are concerned the evidence might get lost in the mail, you can ask your doctor's office to fax it directly to SSA, but mail is standard and acceptable.

Obtaining your own medical records during the review

Before the reviewer makes a decision, they will read every medical record SSA has collected. You have the right to see those same records. Call your doctors' offices and request copies of all records from the past five years — or longer if your condition has been ongoing. There is usually a small copying fee, but you can ask the office to waive it or reduce it.

Reading your own records serves two purposes. First, you will know what the reviewer is seeing, and you can identify gaps or errors. If a record is missing or contains wrong information, you can correct it or submit a new one. Second, you may find evidence in your own records that you had forgotten about — a test result, a note from your doctor about your limitations, or a hospitalization that strengthens your case.

If you cannot afford the copying fees or your doctor's office is slow to respond, ask your representative (if you have one) to request the records. Representatives often have faster access and the SSA will prioritize their requests.

What not to do while your appeal is under review

Do not stop medical treatment or miss appointments. The reviewer will look at your medical records chronologically, and gaps in treatment — months where you did not see a doctor or have test results — are interpreted as a sign that your condition may not be as serious as you claim. Even if you cannot afford treatment, document your attempts to get care. If you went to an emergency room, had a telehealth visit, or attended a free clinic, those records count.

Do not work without reporting it to SSA. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) while your appeal is pending, any work income must be reported. If you are receiving SSDI, you can work and earn up to the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit without affecting your benefits, but SSA needs to know. Unreported work can be treated as fraud, even if you were unaware of the reporting requirement.

Do not ignore requests from SSA. If SSA sends you a letter asking for information, medical records, or asking you to attend a consultative examination, respond within the important date given. Failure to respond can result in dismissal of your appeal. If you do not understand the request, call the number on the letter and ask for clarification.

Checking the status of your appeal

You can check the status of your appeal online through your my Social Security account if you have created one. Log in and look for "Appeal Status" or "Case Status." The online status is usually updated within a few days of any action on your case, so it is more current than calling.

If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a driver's license or state ID). Once you have an account, you can check your appeal status anytime without calling.

Calling SSA to ask about your appeal status is possible but not recommended. Wait times are long, and the representative will tell you only what is already in the system — usually just the date your appeal was received and that it is "under review." The online status provides the same information without the wait.

Understanding the difference between reconsideration and hearing review timelines

If your appeal is at the reconsideration level, a claims examiner is reviewing your case. This examiner works for SSA and uses the same rules that the original decision-maker used. Reconsideration review typically takes 3 to 6 months. Most reconsideration appeals are denied, which means you will then have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

If your appeal is at the hearing level, you have already been through reconsideration and have requested a hearing. After your hearing takes place, an administrative law judge reviews the evidence presented at the hearing plus your entire file. This review usually takes 2 to 6 months. Hearing-level decisions are more likely to be approved than reconsideration decisions, but the review period is often longer because the judge must write a detailed decision explaining the reasoning.

If you are unsure which level you are at, look at the letter SSA sent you. It will say either "Your case is being reconsidered" or "You have been scheduled for a hearing" or "Your hearing has been held and your case is under review."

What to do if your address or contact information changes

If you move, change your phone number, or change your mailing address during the review period, notify SSA when ready. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office in person. Provide your new address and phone number and confirm that it has been updated in the system. If SSA cannot reach you when a decision is ready, they may dismiss your appeal or issue a decision without your input.

If you have a representative (attorney or non-attorney advocate), notify them of your address change as well. Your representative should also update SSA, but it is your responsibility to make sure the information is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does "under review" actually take?

At reconsideration, usually 3 to 6 months. At the hearing level, usually 2 to 6 months after your hearing. Some cases take longer depending on how complex the medical evidence is and how busy the office is. There is no way to predict the exact date.

Can I call and ask the judge or examiner to hurry up?

No. Calling SSA will not speed up the review. The examiner or judge works through cases in order, and inquiries from claimants do not move a case forward. The only exception is if you have a medical emergency or your circumstances have changed dramatically — in that case, ask your representative to contact SSA, as they have a faster line.

What if I get a job offer while my appeal is under review?

You can take the job. If you are on SSDI, you can earn up to the SGA limit (in 2024, $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals, though this amount changes yearly) without affecting your benefits. If you are on SSI, you must report the income. Either way, taking a job does not hurt your appeal — in fact, it shows you are trying to work, which is positive.

Can I submit a letter from my doctor saying I cannot work?

Yes. A letter from your treating doctor describing your limitations, how often you have symptoms, and how your condition affects your ability to work is strong evidence. Make sure the letter is specific — "Patient cannot work" is weaker than "Patient experiences severe pain for 4 to 6 hours daily, which prevents sustained concentration and requires frequent breaks."

What happens if I miss a important date or do not respond to an SSA request?

Your appeal can be dismissed. If SSA sends you a letter with a important date, meet it. If you cannot meet the important date, call the number on the letter and ask for an extension before the important date passes. Explaining why you missed it after the fact is much harder than asking in advance.