Reconsideration typically takes 3 to 6 months from the date SSA receives your request

Reconsideration is the first appeal step after Social Security denies your SSDI claim. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not publish a firm timeline, but most cases move through the process in that 3- to 6-month window. Some finish faster; others take longer, depending on how complex your medical evidence is and how busy your local SSA office is at that moment.

The clock starts when SSA receives your written request for reconsideration, not when you mail it or call to ask about it. A new examiner — not the person who made the first decision — reviews your entire file from scratch. If you submit new medical records, test results, or statements from doctors, those go into the review. If you don't add anything new, SSA looks at what was already there and makes a fresh judgment.

You will not hear anything for weeks after you file. SSA does not send status updates during reconsideration. The first communication you receive will usually be the decision letter itself, either approving your claim or denying it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Reconsideration decisions typically arrive 3 to 6 months after SSA receives your written request, though some cases take longer depending on medical complexity and office workload.
  • A different examiner reviews your case from the beginning, so submitting new medical evidence or updated doctor statements can change the outcome even if the first decision was no.
  • SSA does not send progress updates during reconsideration; you will not hear anything until the decision letter arrives in the mail.
  • If reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days from the date on the decision letter to request a hearing before an administrative law judge, which is the next appeal step.

What happens during the reconsideration review

During reconsideration, a different SSA examiner reads your medical records, work history, and the original denial letter. They are looking at the same legal standard as the first examiner — whether your condition meets or equals a listed impairment, or whether you can do any work — but they start with no assumption about what the answer should be.

This is why reconsideration matters even though it sounds like a second look at the same file. If your first denial was based on incomplete medical evidence, or if your doctor's records were unclear, or if the examiner misread your capabilities, a fresh reviewer can reach a different conclusion. Many people win on reconsideration by submitting new test results, updated functional assessments from their doctor, or statements explaining why they cannot work.

If you do not submit anything new, reconsideration can still result in approval — examiners do sometimes reverse denials based on the original evidence alone — but your chances improve significantly if you add medical documentation that was missing the first time.

Factors that slow down or speed up the timeline

The 3- to 6-month range is an average, not a may provide. Several things can push a case toward the longer end of that window. If your medical condition is complex — for example, you have multiple diagnoses, conflicting test results, or treatment records from many providers — the examiner needs more time to piece together a coherent picture. Cases involving mental health conditions or pain disorders often take longer because the evidence is harder to quantify than, say, a clear imaging study showing a broken spine.

Workload at your local SSA Disability information Services (DDS) office also matters. DDS offices are state-run but federally funded, and they vary in how many cases they handle relative to staff. A busy office in a large state may take 6 months or longer; a smaller office might finish in 3 months. You cannot choose which office handles your case — it is determined by where you live.

If SSA needs to request medical records from your doctors and those records arrive slowly, that adds weeks. If your doctor does not respond to SSA's request, SSA may make a decision based on what they have, or they may wait a reasonable time and then proceed. Either way, delays in getting records from providers can extend the overall timeline.

How to track your reconsideration status

You can check the status of your reconsideration case by creating an account on my Social Security (ssa.gov/myaccount), which shows the current status of your claim. The site will tell you whether your case is pending, whether SSA has requested medical records, or whether a decision has been made. Not all information updates when ready, but it is more current than calling.

You can also call SSA's main number at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a status update. Have your Social Security number ready. The representative can tell you whether your case is still under review, whether SSA is waiting for medical records, or whether a decision has been issued. They cannot speed up the process, but they can confirm where your case stands.

If you submitted new medical evidence with your reconsideration request, ask SSA to confirm they received it. Sometimes records get lost in the mail or misfiled. If SSA says they do not have something you sent, ask how to resubmit it and request written confirmation once it arrives.

What to do while you wait for reconsideration

While your reconsideration is pending, continue treating with your doctors and keep records of all appointments, medications, and test results. If your condition worsens or you have new diagnoses, tell your doctor and ask them to document it in your medical record. This documentation becomes part of your file if you move to the next appeal step (a hearing before an administrative law judge).

If you are working, even part-time or sporadically, keep track of your earnings and the dates you worked. SSA will want to know whether you are still trying to work and how much you earn. If you stop working because your condition worsened, document that too — a letter from your employer or a note in your medical record saying you had to leave work can be powerful evidence.

Do not assume reconsideration will be denied just because your first claim was. Many people win on reconsideration, especially if they submit new evidence. Use the waiting time to gather any medical records or statements that were missing from your first process.

What happens if reconsideration is denied

If SSA denies your claim on reconsideration, you will receive a decision letter explaining why. The letter will include information about your right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). You have 60 days from the date on the decision letter to file that request. This is a firm important date; if you miss it, you lose your right to a hearing unless you have a good reason for the delay (called "good cause").

A hearing before an ALJ is the next step in the appeal process and is where many people win. At a hearing, you can present testimony, your doctor can testify, and you can have a representative (a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate) argue your case. The ALJ has more flexibility than an examiner to weigh evidence and make judgments about your ability to work. Hearings typically take 4 to 12 months to schedule, depending on the ALJ's caseload in your area.

If you are denied on reconsideration and cannot afford a lawyer, you can request a hearing without one. Legal aid organizations in your state may also represent you for free if you meet their income limits.

Reconsideration timelines by state

Because Disability information Services offices are run by individual states, processing times vary. Some states consistently finish reconsiderations in 3 to 4 months; others average 5 to 6 months or longer. You can ask SSA which state office is handling your case and whether they have published average processing times, though SSA does not always have this data readily available.

If you live in a state with a known backlog, your case may take longer than the national average. Conversely, if your state's DDS office is well-staffed and current, you might hear back faster. This is not something you can control, but it is useful to know that variation is normal and does not mean something is wrong with your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I speed up reconsideration by calling SSA or submitting more evidence?

Calling SSA will not accelerate the timeline, but submitting additional medical evidence can strengthen your case and may influence the outcome. Submit new evidence as soon as you have it rather than waiting until the end of the reconsideration period. Make sure SSA confirms receipt in writing.

What if I miss the 60-day important date to request a hearing after reconsideration is denied?

You can still request a hearing if you have "good cause" for the delay — for example, you were hospitalized, did not receive the decision letter, or had a family emergency. You will need to explain the reason in writing to SSA. Without good cause, you lose your right to a hearing and would have to file a new claim.

Do I need a lawyer for reconsideration?

You do not need a lawyer for reconsideration, and many people win without one. However, if you are denied on reconsideration and move to a hearing, having a representative (lawyer or advocate) significantly increases your chances of approval. Many representatives work on contingency, meaning they take a fee only if you win.

Will SSA contact my doctors during reconsideration?

Yes, SSA will request medical records from the doctors and hospitals you listed on your process. If records are slow to arrive, this can delay your decision. You can speed this up by asking your doctors' offices to send records directly to SSA and requesting written confirmation once they arrive.

What if my condition got worse since I first applied?

Tell your doctor about the worsening and ask them to document it in your medical record. You can also submit a statement to SSA describing how your condition has changed. This new evidence becomes part of your reconsideration file and can support approval even if the original evidence was not strong enough.