Reconsideration typically takes three to five months, though some cases move faster and others take longer
Reconsideration is the first step after Social Security denies your SSDI claim. You ask them to look at your case again, and they assign it to a different examiner who reviews your file from the start. The whole process—from the day you request reconsideration until you get a decision—usually takes between three and five months. Some cases finish in six weeks. Others stretch to seven or eight months, depending on how busy your local Social Security office is and whether they need medical records from your doctors.
The timeline is not the same everywhere. Social Security publishes average processing times by state and by office, and they vary widely. Your state's disability information services office (the agency that actually makes the decision, not Social Security itself) handles the workload differently than another state's office. If you want to know what to expect in your area, you can call your local Social Security office and ask what their current reconsideration wait time is.
Key Takeaways
- Reconsideration decisions usually arrive three to five months after you file your request, though the range can be six weeks to eight months depending on your state and local office.
- You can call your local Social Security office to ask what their current average processing time is for reconsideration cases.
- A new examiner reviews your entire case, so submitting new medical evidence before reconsideration starts can speed up the decision.
- If you do not hear back within six months, contact your local office to confirm they received your request and ask for a status update.
- Reconsideration is faster than the next appeal level (a hearing before an administrative law judge), which typically takes one to two years.
What happens during those three to five months
When you request reconsideration, Social Security sends your file to your state's disability information services office. A different examiner—not the one who denied you the first time—pulls together all your medical records, work history, and the evidence you originally submitted. They may also request updated records from your doctors or hospitals if they think new information would help them decide.
The examiner does not interview you during reconsideration. They work from the written file. This is why submitting new medical evidence before reconsideration starts can matter: if you have recent test results, doctor's notes, or hospital records that show your condition has worsened or that you cannot work, include them with your reconsideration request. The examiner will see them from day one instead of waiting for you to send them later.
The examiner writes a decision and sends it to Social Security, which mails it to you. That letter will say either "approved" or "denied." If denied, it will explain why and tell you how to appeal to the next level, which is a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Why some cases take longer than others
The biggest factor is how busy your local disability information services office is. Offices in large states or cities with high disability claim volume move slower than offices in smaller areas. If your office is backlogged, your case may sit in a queue for weeks before an examiner even opens your file.
A second factor is whether Social Security needs to request records from your doctors. If your file is incomplete—for example, if you saw a specialist but their records were never sent to Social Security—the examiner will request them. Doctors' offices can take two to four weeks to respond, which adds time to the clock. If you know your file is missing records, send them yourself when you request reconsideration. That way the examiner has them when ready.
Medical complexity also matters. A case involving one condition and straightforward medical evidence moves faster than a case involving multiple conditions, conflicting medical opinions, or records from many different providers. The examiner has to read and weigh more information, which takes longer.
How to track your reconsideration case
After you submit your reconsideration request, Social Security will send you a notice confirming they received it. Keep that notice. It will have a case number or file number on it.
You can check the status of your case by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have your Social Security number and case number ready. They can tell you whether the examiner has been assigned, whether they are waiting for records, and roughly how much longer the decision should take.
If you have not heard anything after six months, call and ask for a status update. It is not common for reconsideration to take that long, and if yours has, something may have gone wrong—a lost file, a misfiled request, or a backlog at your office. A call can sometimes get your case moving again.
What to do while you wait
Continue gathering medical evidence. If you see a doctor during reconsideration, ask them to send records to Social Security. You can also send them yourself. Write your Social Security number on everything you send and mail it to your local Social Security office, or bring it in person if you prefer.
If your condition changes—you have a new diagnosis, a new treatment, or your symptoms worsen—document it. Write down dates, what happened, and what your doctor said. This becomes part of your file and can strengthen your case.
Do not assume reconsideration will be denied just because your first claim was. Reconsideration approvals do happen, especially when new medical evidence is submitted. The second examiner is looking at your case fresh, and they may see things differently.
Reconsideration versus a hearing before a judge
If reconsideration is denied, your next step is to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. That process is slower. A hearing typically takes one to two years from the date you request it until the judge makes a decision. Some cases take longer, depending on the judge's schedule and how many cases are waiting.
Because of that longer timeline, many people go through reconsideration even if they think it will be denied. It is a faster way to get a second look at your case, and it does not cost anything. If you are denied at reconsideration, you can move to a hearing knowing you have already had two reviews of your file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I speed up reconsideration?
Not officially, but submitting complete medical evidence upfront helps. If records are missing from your file, request them from your doctors and send them to Social Security before reconsideration starts. The examiner will not have to wait for them, which can shorten the timeline by several weeks.
What if I get a decision faster than three months?
That can happen, especially if your file is straightforward and complete. Some cases are approved or denied in six to eight weeks. There is no minimum wait time—the examiner decides and sends the decision as soon as they finish reviewing your case.
Do I have to wait for reconsideration, or can I go straight to a hearing?
You must request reconsideration first. Social Security will not schedule a hearing until reconsideration is complete and denied. The only exception is if you are in a state that offers Rapid Reconsideration, a faster track for certain cases, but this is rare and Social Security will tell you if you are in one.
What happens if reconsideration takes longer than five months?
Call your local Social Security office and ask for a status update. Cases occasionally get delayed by lost files, missing records, or office backlog. A call can help identify the problem and sometimes get your case moving. If it has been more than six months, ask to speak with a supervisor.
Can I work while reconsideration is pending?
Yes. Reconsideration does not affect your ability to work. If you are working and earning above the substantial gainful activity limit (which varies by year), it may affect your case, but the reconsideration timeline itself does not change based on whether you are working.