What the DE Form Is and When You Need It

The DE Form — officially the "Request for Reconsideration" or "Appeal" form — is the document Social Security uses to start the first level of appeal after they deny your SSDI claim or reduce your benefits. It is not the only way to appeal, but it is the most common one, and Social Security will ask you to use it unless you are filing an expedited appeal or a new process.

You file a DE Form when Social Security has made a decision you disagree with: they denied your initial claim, they stopped your benefits, they reduced your payment amount, or they made a work-related decision that affects your case. The form tells Social Security you want them to look at your case again, and it gives you space to explain why you think their decision was wrong.

The DE Form is not the same as a new process. Filing it does not restart your claim from the beginning — it asks the same people who made the first decision to reconsider it, usually with new medical evidence or a new argument you provide.

Key Takeaways

  • The DE Form is the official document Social Security uses to request reconsideration of a denied claim or reduced benefits, and you must file it within 60 days of the decision letter.
  • You can file the DE Form in person at your local Social Security office, by mail, online through your My Social Security account, or by phone — each method has different timing and proof requirements.
  • The form asks you to explain why you disagree with the decision and to attach new medical records, work history, or other evidence that supports your case.
  • Social Security will send the form to a different medical reviewer than the one who made the first decision, but the same office will make the final call.
  • If Social Security denies your reconsideration, you move to the next level: requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Where to Get the DE Form and How to File It

Social Security does not mail you the DE Form automatically. You have to request it or file your appeal directly. You have four main routes:

In person at your local Social Security office: Walk in or call ahead to schedule an appointment. Bring your Social Security card and the decision letter Social Security sent you. A representative will help you fill out the form and file it on the spot. This is the fastest way to make sure the form is complete and received on time.

By mail: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask them to mail you the DE Form, or read it from ssa.gov. Fill it out, sign it, and mail it to the address on the form or on your decision letter. Keep a copy for your records. Mailing takes longer — Social Security may not receive it for a week or more, so mail it early if you are close to the 60-day important date.

Online through My Social Security: If you have created a My Social Security account at ssa.gov, you can file your appeal directly through the portal. Log in, find your case, and select "Appeal" or "Request Reconsideration." You can upload documents and submit the form without leaving home. This method is fast and creates a time-stamped record.

By phone: Call 1-800-772-1213 and tell the representative you want to file a reconsideration appeal. They will take your information over the phone and file the form for you. Ask them to send you a confirmation letter so you have proof of the filing date.

The 60-Day important date and What Happens If You Miss It

You have 60 days from the date on your decision letter to file the DE Form. The 60 days starts the day after Social Security mails the letter, not the day you receive it. If you do not file within 60 days, Social Security will not accept your reconsideration appeal.

If you miss the important date, you have one option: file a new process for SSDI. This starts your claim over from the beginning, and Social Security will look at your medical condition as of the new process date. You lose any back pay you might have won on the reconsideration, and you have to wait through the whole process again. For this reason, do not wait — file the DE Form as soon as you receive the decision letter.

If you have a good reason for missing the important date — you were hospitalized, you did not receive the letter, or a representative gave you wrong information — you can ask Social Security to reopen your case. This is rare and requires strong proof, so it is not a reliable backup plan.

What to Write on the DE Form and What Evidence to Attach

The DE Form has a section that asks you to explain why you disagree with Social Security's decision. Be specific. Do not just write "I am disabled" or "I disagree." Explain what the decision got wrong: Did they ignore a medical record? Did they misunderstand your work history? Did they use the wrong medical standard?

Attach new evidence that supports your case. This is the most important part. Social Security already saw the records from your first process, so sending the same records again will not change the outcome. Instead, send:

  • New medical records from your doctor or hospital visits that happened after your first process.
  • Updated statements from your treating physicians explaining why you cannot work.
  • Work history or pay stubs showing you tried to work but had to stop because of your condition.
  • Letters from family members, employers, or others who can describe how your condition affects your daily life.
  • Test results, imaging, or lab work that shows your medical condition has worsened.

Do not send original documents — make copies. Social Security will not return them, and you may need the originals later if you go to a hearing. Write your name and Social Security number on every page you submit.

Who Reviews Your DE Form and How Long It Takes

When you file the DE Form, Social Security sends your case to a medical reviewer — usually a doctor or psychologist who works for the state Disability information Services office. This reviewer is different from the one who made the first decision. They look at all the evidence again, including the new records you submitted, and write a new medical opinion.

After the medical reviewer finishes, a claims examiner at Social Security reads the medical opinion and makes the final decision. If the medical reviewer says you are disabled and the new evidence supports that, the claims examiner usually approves your case. If the medical reviewer says you are not disabled, the claims examiner usually denies it again.

The whole process usually takes 2 to 4 months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs to request more records from your doctors. You will receive a new decision letter in the mail. If Social Security approves your reconsideration, they will pay you back to the date of your original process (or the date your benefits stopped, if you were already receiving them). If they deny it, the letter will explain why and tell you how to file for a hearing.

What Happens After Social Security Denies Your Reconsideration

If Social Security denies your DE Form appeal, you move to the next level: a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You have 60 days from the date of the denial letter to request a hearing. At a hearing, you can present new evidence, have a representative speak for you, and cross-examine Social Security's medical informed.

Many people win at the hearing level who lost at reconsideration. The ALJ is independent — they do not work for Social Security's claims office — and they have more time to review your case carefully. If you lost at reconsideration, do not give up. Request a hearing.

You can represent yourself at a hearing, but most people hire a lawyer or non-lawyer representative who specializes in SSDI appeals. Representatives are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped by law at 25 percent of your back pay (up to $7,200 as of 2024, though this amount changes yearly). Many representatives will work with you for free during the reconsideration stage and only charge a fee if you reach a hearing.

Common Mistakes When Filing the DE Form

The most common mistake is not attaching new evidence. Social Security will not approve your case on the same records they already reviewed. If you do not submit new medical information, a new statement from your doctor, or proof that your condition has worsened, the outcome will be the same as the first time.

Another mistake is filing too late. The 60-day important date is strict. Social Security will not accept a late DE Form, and you will have to start over with a new process. Mark the important date on your calendar the day you receive the decision letter.

A third mistake is not explaining your disagreement clearly. Write a short, specific statement on the form: "Social Security did not consider my 2024 MRI results" or "The medical reviewer did not account for my pain medication side effects." Do not assume Social Security will figure out what you mean.

Finally, do not assume you need a lawyer to file the DE Form. You can file it yourself for free. A lawyer or representative is most useful at the hearing stage, not at reconsideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file the DE Form online, and is it faster than mailing it?

Yes, you can file through your My Social Security account at ssa.gov if you have one. It is faster than mailing — the form is received and time-stamped when ready. If you do not have an account, you can create one for free in about 10 minutes. Online filing also gives you a record of submission you can read and keep.

What if I do not have new medical records to attach to the DE Form?

New medical records help, but they are not required. If you have not seen a doctor since your first process, write a statement explaining why your condition makes work impossible. Describe your daily activities, your pain or symptoms, and what happens when you try to work. A detailed statement from you can sometimes persuade the medical reviewer, especially if your condition is stable and the first decision was based on incomplete information.

Can I file a DE Form if Social Security reduced my benefits instead of denying my claim?

Yes. If Social Security says your condition improved and reduced or stopped your benefits, you can file a DE Form to challenge that decision. You will need medical evidence showing your condition has not improved or has worsened. Bring recent medical records and statements from your doctors to support your case.

What is the difference between a DE Form and a new process?

A DE Form asks Social Security to reconsider the decision they already made, using the same process date and the same medical standard. A new process starts your claim over, using today's date as your process date. If you file a new process instead of a DE Form, you lose any back pay from the first claim and have to wait through the whole process again. Always file the DE Form within 60 days if you disagree with a decision.

Do I need a lawyer to file the DE Form?

No. You can file the DE Form yourself for free. A lawyer or representative is most helpful at the hearing stage, when you need someone to present your case to a judge. Many representatives will not charge you a fee until you win at a hearing, so you can file the DE Form on your own and hire help later if you need it.