How Long Does a Disability Reconsideration Take?

If Social Security denied your initial SSDI application, reconsideration is the first formal step in the appeals process. Understanding how long it takes — and why the timeline varies so much — helps you set realistic expectations and avoid costly mistakes while you wait.

What Is Reconsideration?

Reconsideration is the first level of appeal after an initial denial. A different examiner at your state's Disability Determination Services (DDS) office reviews your case from scratch. They look at the same evidence SSA already has, plus any new medical records or documentation you submit.

You have 60 days from the date of your denial letter (plus a 5-day mail allowance) to file for reconsideration. Missing that window typically means starting over with a new application — so the deadline matters.

Typical Reconsideration Timelines

SSA doesn't publish a fixed processing guarantee for reconsideration, and wait times shift based on DDS office workload, staffing, and case complexity. That said, most claimants can expect a decision somewhere in this range:

Reconsideration is generally faster than an ALJ hearing — but it's also the stage with the lowest approval rate. Historically, fewer than 15% of reconsideration appeals result in approval. Most claimants who eventually win benefits do so at the ALJ hearing level.

Why Timelines Vary

No two reconsideration cases move at the same pace. Several factors shape how quickly a decision comes back:

Your state's DDS office. Each state runs its own DDS office under federal guidelines, but staffing levels and case backlogs differ significantly from state to state. A claimant in one state may wait two months; someone in a heavily backlogged state may wait six.

How complete your medical record is. If DDS needs to request records from multiple providers — or if those providers are slow to respond — the review stalls. Cases with well-organized, up-to-date medical documentation typically move faster.

Whether new evidence is submitted. Submitting updated medical records after filing the reconsideration request can add time, but it can also strengthen the case. The tradeoff is usually worth it.

Your medical condition. Certain conditions qualify for Compassionate Allowances or Terminal Illness (TERI) processing, which can dramatically shorten review times — sometimes to weeks rather than months. Straightforward medical profiles may also resolve faster than complex multi-condition cases.

Whether a consultative exam is ordered. If SSA's reviewer needs more information than your records provide, they may schedule a Consultative Examination (CE) with an independent physician. Scheduling and completing that exam adds weeks to the process.

What Happens During Reconsideration

The DDS examiner reviewing your case will evaluate your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) — an assessment of what you can still do physically and mentally despite your impairments. They'll compare that against your past work and, depending on your age and education, other work in the national economy.

The standard hasn't changed: SSA is asking whether your condition prevents you from doing substantial gainful activity (SGA) — meaning work that earns above a set monthly threshold, which adjusts each year. Meeting that standard is harder than many claimants expect, which explains why most reconsiderations are denied.

🕐 How to Avoid Unnecessary Delays

A few steps can keep your case from sitting longer than necessary:

• Respond promptly to any requests for information from SSA or DDS
• Submit updated medical records showing your condition since the initial denial
• Keep your contact information current with SSA — missed correspondence can stall a case
• Track your appeal status through your my Social Security online account or by calling SSA directly

If DDS schedules a Consultative Exam, attending it is critical. Missing a CE appointment without good cause can result in a denial based solely on insufficient evidence.

What Comes Next If Reconsideration Is Denied

Most claimants who are denied at reconsideration are not out of options — they're actually at the point where many claimants gain approval. The next step is requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). ALJ hearings take significantly longer (often well over a year), but approval rates are considerably higher than at reconsideration.

If your ALJ hearing is also denied, you can request review by the Appeals Council, and after that, federal district court. Each stage has its own deadline — typically 60 days from the decision letter — so acting quickly after each denial matters.

The Piece That Isn't in This Article

How long your specific reconsideration takes, and what your chances look like, depend on details this article can't assess: which DDS office handles your state, how well-documented your condition is, whether new evidence has been submitted, and where your case stands in the review queue right now. The mechanics above apply broadly — but your timeline is shaped by your particular file, your particular conditions, and a process unfolding in real time.