Timeline for an SSDI Reconsideration

A reconsideration typically takes three to six months from the date the Social Security Administration receives your request until you get a written decision. The exact length depends on how complete your medical evidence is, whether you submit new records, and how busy your local Social Security office is at that moment. If your case is straightforward and you include all necessary documents the first time, you may see a decision in closer to three months. If Social Security needs to request records from your doctors or if your file requires additional review, expect closer to six months or longer.

The timeline does not include the time you spend gathering documents before you submit your reconsideration request. That part is entirely up to you. Once Social Security stamps your request as received, the clock starts, and you can track progress using your Social Security account online or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Reconsideration is slower than the initial decision because a different examiner reviews your entire file from the beginning, rather than just processing a new process. This thorough review is the reason reconsideration exists — it gives you a genuine second look — but it also means waiting longer than you might expect.

Key Takeaways

  • A reconsideration decision usually arrives between three and six months after Social Security receives your written request, though some cases take longer.
  • The timeline starts when Social Security receives your request, not when you mail it, so keep proof of receipt or submit it in person at your local office.
  • Submitting new medical evidence or records can extend the timeline because Social Security must review and consider the additional information.
  • You can check the status of your reconsideration by logging into your my Social Security account online or by calling the main Social Security number.
  • If you do not hear back within six months, contact your local Social Security office to confirm your request was received and ask for an update.

What Happens During the Reconsideration Period

When you submit a reconsideration request, Social Security assigns your case to a different disability examiner and medical or psychological consultant than the one who made the initial denial. That examiner reviews your entire medical file, your work history, your age, and your education. They consider any new medical records you submitted with your request, as well as any records Social Security obtained on its own.

During this period, Social Security may contact your doctors to request additional information about your condition, your treatment history, or your functional limitations. If your doctors are slow to respond, this can add weeks to the timeline. You have no control over this part, but you can speed it up slightly by providing your doctors' contact information and asking them directly to respond quickly to Social Security's requests.

Social Security does not contact you during reconsideration unless they need clarification on something in your file. You will not have a hearing or an interview. The decision is made on paper, based on the medical evidence and your work history.

How to Track Your Reconsideration Status

The fastest way to check on your reconsideration is through your my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. Log in, go to "My Requests," and you should see your reconsideration listed with a status update. This page tells you whether Social Security is still reviewing your case, whether they have requested records from your doctors, or whether a decision has been made. The online status updates more frequently than phone representatives can tell you.

If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a status update on your reconsideration. Have your Social Security number ready. The phone line is busiest early in the week and early in the month, so calling on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon may get you through faster. Be prepared to wait on hold.

If you submitted your reconsideration in person at your local Social Security office, you can also visit that office in person and ask for a status update. Bring your Social Security number and any paperwork Social Security gave you when you filed. Local offices can sometimes provide more detailed information than the phone line.

Why Reconsideration Takes Longer Than You Might Expect

Reconsideration is not a quick re-review of the same file. Social Security treats it as a full new evaluation, which means the examiner must read every page of your medical records, your work history, and any new evidence you submitted. If your medical file is thick — which it often is for people with serious disabilities — this review takes time.

Social Security also has a backlog of cases. The number of reconsiderations pending varies by region and by season. In some areas, examiners move through cases faster; in others, the wait is longer. You cannot change this, but you can understand that delays are often not about your individual case — they reflect the volume of work the office is handling.

New medical evidence also extends the timeline. If you submit records from a recent doctor visit or a new specialist evaluation, the examiner must review that evidence carefully and may request clarification from the doctor. This is actually good for your case — new evidence is often why people win on reconsideration — but it does add time to the process.

What to Do If Your Reconsideration Takes Longer Than Six Months

If you have not received a decision six months after submitting your reconsideration request, contact your local Social Security office. Ask to speak with someone in the disability unit and explain that your reconsideration has been pending for six months. Ask them to check whether your file is still being reviewed or whether there is a delay.

Social Security does not have a legal important date for issuing a reconsideration decision, which is why the timeline is a range rather than a firm date. However, if your case has been pending significantly longer than six months with no update, it may be stuck. A call to your local office can sometimes move it along or at least get you a realistic estimate of when to expect a decision.

If you are in financial hardship while waiting for a reconsideration decision, you may be able to request expedited review or ask Social Security about other programs that might help in the meantime. Your local office can discuss these options with you.

After Your Reconsideration Decision Arrives

Social Security will send you a written decision letter in the mail. This letter explains whether your reconsideration was approved or denied. If approved, the letter tells you when your benefits will start and how much you will receive. If denied, the letter explains the reason for the denial and tells you that you have the right to request an appeal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

If your reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days from the date on the decision letter to request a hearing. This is a firm important date. If you miss it, you lose your right to a hearing and would have to start over with a new process. Mark the important date on your calendar or set a phone reminder.

Keep your decision letter in a safe place. You will need it if you request a hearing, and you will need it to understand what evidence Social Security considered and why they made their decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I speed up my reconsideration?

You cannot change how fast Social Security reviews your case, but you can avoid delays by submitting all your medical records and evidence with your initial reconsideration request rather than sending them later. If you have new medical evidence, submit it as soon as you have it. The sooner Social Security has everything, the sooner they can make a decision.

Will Social Security contact me during reconsideration?

Social Security will only contact you if they need clarification about something in your file or if they cannot reach your doctor. You will not have a hearing or interview during reconsideration. The decision is made by reviewing your medical records and work history on paper.

What if I get a job while my reconsideration is pending?

Report any work to Social Security when ready, even if you are still waiting for a reconsideration decision. If you are working and earning above the substantial gainful activity limit, it may affect your reconsideration outcome. Social Security needs current information to make an accurate decision.

Can I request a hearing instead of waiting for reconsideration?

No. Reconsideration is a required step before you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You must receive a reconsideration decision (whether approved or denied) before you have the right to a hearing. The only exception is if you live in a state that does not use reconsideration, which is rare.

What happens if I miss the important date to appeal my reconsideration denial?

If you do not request a hearing within 60 days of your reconsideration denial letter, you lose your right to that hearing. You would have to file a new process to start the process over. If you miss the important date by a few days, you can request a "reopening" of your case, but this is difficult. Mark your important date clearly and submit your hearing request well before the 60 days are up.