The timeline for reconsideration is usually four to six months, but it can stretch longer

When you ask Social Security to reconsider a denied SSDI claim, the agency typically takes four to six months to send you a decision. Some cases move faster—occasionally in three months—and some take longer, especially if Social Security needs medical records from your doctors or if the office handling your case is backlogged. There is no way to know in advance which timeline applies to your case.

The wait begins the day Social Security receives your reconsideration request. If you mail it, allow a week or two for it to arrive at the right office before the clock starts. If you file online through your Social Security account, the request is recorded when ready.

During those months, you will not hear much. Social Security does not send progress updates. You can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask whether your case has been assigned to a reviewer, but the answer is often "it's in the queue" with no specific date attached.

Key Takeaways

  • Reconsideration decisions typically arrive four to six months after Social Security receives your request, though some cases take longer.
  • Social Security does not send updates while your case is being reviewed, so you will not know the status unless you call and ask.
  • If you need income while waiting, you may be able to work part-time without affecting your reconsideration—the rules are different than they are for approved SSDI.
  • If reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

What happens during the four to six months

A reviewer at Social Security will look at your original process, the medical evidence you submitted, and any new evidence you included with your reconsideration request. They are not the same person who denied you the first time. If your case involves a medical condition that requires specialist knowledge—like a neurological disorder or a psychiatric condition—the reviewer may send your file to a medical consultant employed by Social Security to evaluate the medical records.

If Social Security needs records from your doctors and does not have them, they will request them during this period. This can add weeks to the timeline. If your doctor is slow to respond, the wait stretches longer. You can speed this up by contacting your doctor yourself, getting the records, and sending them directly to Social Security with your case number written clearly on each page.

The reviewer will also check whether anything has changed since your original denial. If you have had surgery, started a new medication, or seen a new specialist, that information matters. The reconsideration process is your chance to present a fuller picture than you may have had time to gather for the initial process.

Why some cases take longer than four to six months

Backlogs at your local Social Security office can add one to three months to the timeline. Some offices process reconsiderations faster than others depending on staffing and the volume of cases they receive. You cannot control this, and calling Social Security will not move your case forward—the office will tell you it is in line.

Cases involving Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs)—where Social Security is checking whether you still may have access to for benefits you already receive—sometimes move faster than initial reconsiderations. Cases involving new applications sometimes move slower. Medical complexity also matters: a straightforward case with clear medical records may move in three months, while a case requiring multiple specialist opinions can take eight months or longer.

If your case involves a hearing request at the same time as a reconsideration, the timeline can become unclear. Tell Social Security which path you want to pursue so they do not process both simultaneously.

How to check on your reconsideration status

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and have your Social Security number ready. Tell them you are checking on a reconsideration request. They can tell you whether a reviewer has been assigned and sometimes whether medical records have been received. They cannot tell you when a decision will arrive.

You can also create or log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. The account shows the status of your case, though the updates are not real-time and may lag behind what the office knows. If your account shows "pending" after six months, call to ask whether there is a delay.

Do not call repeatedly hoping for a faster decision. Social Security processes cases in the order they arrive, and calling does not change that order.

What to do while you wait

If you need income, you can work while your reconsideration is pending. Unlike approved SSDI recipients, you are not subject to the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit while your case is being decided. You can earn as much as you want without affecting your reconsideration. However, if you are later approved, Social Security will look back at your work history to determine your benefit amount, so keep records of what you earned.

Continue to see your doctors and keep records of your medical treatment. If you have new test results, imaging, or specialist evaluations, send them to Social Security with your case number. Do not wait for Social Security to request them. The more recent and complete your medical file, the stronger your case.

If your condition has worsened or you have developed a new condition, you can mention this in a letter to Social Security. Keep it brief and factual. Include dates of new doctor visits and the names of any new medications or treatments.

What happens after the decision arrives

Social Security will mail you a letter with the decision. If you are approved, the letter will explain your benefit amount and when payments begin. If you are denied again, the letter will explain why and tell you that you have 60 days from the date on the letter to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is your next step if you want to continue appealing.

The 60-day window is firm. If you miss it, you have to start the appeal process over from the beginning. Mark the date on your calendar and send your hearing request before that important date if you plan to appeal again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I speed up my reconsideration by calling Social Security?

No. Social Security processes reconsiderations in the order they arrive, and calling does not move your case forward in the queue. Calling is useful only to confirm that your request was received and to ask whether medical records are still being gathered.

What if six months have passed and I still have not heard anything?

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask whether your case is still pending or whether there is a delay. If there is a significant backlog, ask whether you can request a hearing instead—sometimes moving to the hearing stage is faster than waiting for reconsideration.

Do I need a lawyer during reconsideration?

No, but you can have one. Many people win reconsideration without legal help. A lawyer becomes more useful if you are denied again and move to the hearing stage, where presenting medical evidence effectively matters more.

If I am approved on reconsideration, when do payments start?

The approval letter will tell you the effective date of your benefits. Payments usually begin the month after approval, but the exact timing depends on when Social Security processes the paperwork. Ask Social Security when you receive the letter if you are unsure.

What if I move during my reconsideration?

Tell Social Security your new address right away. You can update it by phone at 1-800-772-1213, online through your my Social Security account, or by visiting a local office. Make sure they have your correct mailing address so you receive the decision letter.