How Long Does SSDI Reconsideration Take?

If Social Security denied your initial SSDI application, reconsideration is the first mandatory step in the appeals process. Understanding how long it takes — and what affects that timeline — can help you plan while you wait.

What Is SSDI Reconsideration?

Reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by someone at the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office who was not involved in the original decision. They look at all the evidence from your initial application, plus any new medical records or documentation you submit.

It's the second rung on the SSDI appeals ladder:

You must request reconsideration within 60 days of receiving your denial notice (SSA allows an extra 5 days for mail). Missing that window typically means starting over with a new application.

Typical Reconsideration Timelines

SSA does not publish a guaranteed processing time for reconsideration, and wait times vary considerably. That said, most reconsideration reviews take between 3 and 6 months. Some claimants hear back in as little as 30 to 60 days. Others wait closer to a year, particularly when case volumes are high or additional medical evidence is requested.

For context, the reconsideration stage is generally faster than an ALJ hearing — which can take 12 to 24 months or longer in many hearing offices. But reconsideration also has one of the lowest approval rates of any stage, which means many claimants end up moving to the hearing level regardless.

What Slows Reconsideration Down ⏳

Several factors can push processing time toward the longer end:

Volume at your DDS office. Each state administers its own DDS, and workloads vary. Some offices are backlogged; others process cases more quickly. Where you live has a direct impact on how long you wait.

Missing or incomplete medical records. If DDS needs to request records from multiple providers — especially if those providers are slow to respond — your case sits until that information arrives. Submitting as much medical documentation as possible when you file your reconsideration request can reduce these delays.

Complexity of your medical condition. Cases involving multiple impairments, mental health conditions, or conditions without clear diagnostic markers often require more review time than cases with straightforward physical diagnoses backed by imaging or lab results.

Requests for additional evaluation. DDS may schedule a consultative examination (CE) — a medical exam or psychological evaluation arranged by SSA — if they feel the existing evidence is insufficient. Scheduling and completing that exam adds time to the process.

Incomplete paperwork. If your reconsideration request form or supporting materials are missing information, DDS may need to follow up before the review can proceed.

What Happens While You Wait

SSA will not contact you with regular status updates. You can check the status of your reconsideration online through my Social Security at ssa.gov, by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local SSA office.

If your condition worsens significantly during the reconsideration period, you can notify SSA and submit updated medical records. New evidence can be added to your file at any point before a decision is issued.

You do not receive SSDI payments during the reconsideration period. If your reconsideration is approved, back pay will cover the period from your established onset date, minus the standard five-month waiting period. The longer your appeals process takes, the larger that back pay amount may be — though it doesn't make the wait easier in practical terms.

How Reconsideration Differs From an ALJ Hearing

Many advocates note that reconsideration has historically had low reversal rates — meaning most reconsideration requests are also denied. This is partly because a DDS examiner is still applying the same SSA criteria used at the initial stage, without the ability to observe you in person or weigh your testimony the way a judge can.

At the ALJ hearing level, you have the opportunity to appear before a judge, present testimony, and have a representative argue your case. Approval rates at the hearing level tend to be meaningfully higher than at reconsideration — though actual outcomes depend heavily on the specific ALJ, the medical evidence, and individual circumstances.

This doesn't mean reconsideration is pointless. Some claims are approved at this stage, particularly when new medical evidence is submitted that wasn't part of the original application. It's also a required step — you generally cannot skip to an ALJ hearing without first completing reconsideration. 🗂️

The Factor That Determines Everything Else

How long reconsideration takes in your case, and what happens when it concludes, depends on the specifics SSA can't evaluate in general terms: the nature of your impairment, the completeness of your medical record, your work history and age, and which DDS office is reviewing your file.

The program rules apply universally. How they apply to your situation is a different question entirely. 📋