Timeline for Request for Reconsideration
Social Security has up to 60 days to make a decision on your Request for Reconsideration, but most decisions come back between 30 and 60 days. The clock starts the day Social Security receives your request, not the day you mail it. If you submit your request in person at a field office or through your online account, you have a record of the exact receipt date. If you mail it, add 5 to 10 business days for postal delivery before the 60-day window begins.
The actual time depends on how complete your request is, how busy your local Social Security office is, and whether you submitted new medical evidence. A request with missing information or documents will pause the review while Social Security contacts you to ask for what is missing. That pause does not count against the 60-day important date, but it does delay your decision.
Social Security does not send you a notice saying your 60 days have started. You will not hear anything until a decision is made. If 60 days pass without a decision, you have the right to move forward to the next appeal level (a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge) even though Social Security has not yet ruled on your reconsideration.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security has up to 60 days from the date they receive your Request for Reconsideration to send you a decision, though many decisions arrive between 30 and 45 days.
- The 60-day clock starts when Social Security receives your request, not when you send it, so confirm receipt if you mail your request.
- If Social Security asks you for missing information or documents, that pause does not count toward the 60 days, but it does delay your final decision.
- If no decision arrives within 60 days, you can file a Notice of Appeal to move to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge without waiting longer.
What Happens During the 30 to 60 Days
A disability examiner at your state's Disability information Services office will review your entire case from the beginning. They will look at the original medical evidence that was used to deny your claim, plus any new evidence you submitted with your reconsideration request. They are not just checking whether the first decision was made correctly—they are supposed to review the whole file as if it is a new case.
The examiner will order medical records from the doctors and hospitals you listed on your request. If you submitted recent test results, imaging, or treatment notes, those go into the file. The examiner may also request a new Consultative Examination (a medical exam paid for by Social Security) if they believe the medical evidence is too old or incomplete to make a decision.
If Social Security orders a Consultative Examination, that adds 2 to 4 weeks to your timeline. The exam itself takes a few days to schedule, then another 1 to 2 weeks for the examiner to receive the report and review it. This is one of the most common reasons reconsiderations take the full 60 days instead of 30.
When Social Security Asks for Missing Information
If your Request for Reconsideration is missing documents or information, Social Security will send you a letter asking you to provide them within 10 days. Common missing items include a signed medical release form, the name of a treating doctor, or clarification about your work history. The 60-day decision clock pauses while you gather and return these documents.
Once you send the missing information back, the 60-day clock resumes. If you do not respond within 10 days, Social Security may deny your reconsideration request based on incomplete information. If that happens, you will have 60 days from the date of that denial to file a Notice of Appeal and move to a hearing.
To avoid delays, include every document you have when you first submit your reconsideration request. If you are missing something, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask what specific documents they need before you submit.
Tracking Your Request Status
You can check the status of your Request for Reconsideration by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. The online account will show you whether your request has been received and sometimes will display the status as "pending" or "under review," though the level of detail varies.
When you call, have your Social Security number ready and ask the representative to confirm the date your reconsideration request was received. Write down that date and add 60 days to know the latest date you should expect a decision. Ask the representative whether Social Security has ordered any medical exams or is waiting for additional information from you.
Social Security does not send status updates during the review period. You will not receive a phone call or email saying your case is halfway through. The next contact you receive will be the decision letter itself.
What to Do If 60 Days Pass Without a Decision
If Social Security does not send you a decision within 60 days of receiving your Request for Reconsideration, you can file a Notice of Appeal to move your case to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You do not have to wait for Social Security to finish their review. Filing the Notice of Appeal does not hurt your reconsideration—Social Security will continue working on it, but your case will also move forward to the next level.
You have 60 days from the date of the reconsideration denial letter to file a Notice of Appeal. If Social Security never sends a denial letter (because they never finished the reconsideration), you can file the Notice of Appeal 60 days after you submitted your reconsideration request. Keep a copy of your reconsideration request or the receipt showing when you submitted it.
A Notice of Appeal is a one-page form. You can file it by mail, in person at a Social Security field office, or through your my Social Security account. The form is available at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213 and asking for form SSA-520.
Speeding Up Your Reconsideration
You cannot force Social Security to decide faster than 60 days, but you can prevent delays by submitting a complete request the first time. Include every piece of medical evidence you have—test results, doctor's notes, hospital discharge summaries, mental health treatment records, and any other documentation of your condition. The more evidence in the file, the less likely Social Security will need to order a Consultative Examination.
If you have a representative (a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate), they can contact the Disability information Services office on your behalf to ask whether your case is waiting for anything or whether a Consultative Examination has been scheduled. Representatives sometimes have access to slightly faster communication channels, though they cannot change the 60-day legal important date.
Do not call Social Security repeatedly asking for updates. Each call creates a note in your file, and too many inquiries can sometimes slow down the review rather than speed it up. One call to confirm receipt and ask whether anything is missing is reasonable; calling weekly is not.
What Happens After the Decision Arrives
Social Security will mail you a decision letter explaining whether your reconsideration was approved or denied. If approved, the letter will tell you when your benefits will start and how much your monthly payment will be. If denied, the letter will explain the reason and tell you that you have 60 days to file a Notice of Appeal to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
Read the decision letter carefully, even if it is a denial. The letter will explain what medical evidence Social Security reviewed and why they concluded you do not meet the definition of disability. Understanding their reasoning helps you and your representative prepare for the next appeal level if you choose to continue.
Keep the decision letter in a safe place. You will need it to file your Notice of Appeal, and you will need it again if your case goes to a hearing. If you lose the letter, you can request a copy by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting your local Social Security field office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while waiting for my reconsideration decision?
Yes. Working does not affect your reconsideration or delay the decision. However, if you are working and earning more than the current Substantial Gainful Activity limit (which changes yearly), Social Security may use that as evidence that you are not disabled. Report any work you do to Social Security when they ask about your activities.
What if I get new medical evidence after I submit my reconsideration?
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask to add the new evidence to your reconsideration file. They can usually add documents that arrive within the 60-day window. Do not wait to submit new evidence—send it as soon as you have it, and confirm by phone that it was received and added to your file.
Does my reconsideration take longer if I have a representative?
No. The 60-day important date is the same whether you represent yourself or have a lawyer or advocate. Having a representative may help you submit a more complete request the first time, which can prevent delays from missing information, but it does not speed up Social Security's review process.
What if Social Security says they lost my reconsideration request?
If you mailed it, request a new 60-day review period starting from the date you resubmit. If you submitted it in person or through your online account, ask for written confirmation of the original receipt date. Social Security should have a record. If they cannot find it, resubmit when ready and ask for a dated receipt.
Can I withdraw my reconsideration and go straight to a hearing?
Yes. You can withdraw your Request for Reconsideration at any time and file a Notice of Appeal to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge instead. This is sometimes a good choice if you have new medical evidence or a representative who thinks a hearing will be more effective than a reconsideration review.