Approval Rates at Reconsideration Are Low, But Reconsideration Still Matters
About 10 to 15 percent of people who request reconsideration of a denied SSDI claim receive approval at that stage. This is a real number, not a may provide, and it varies slightly by year and by state. The low rate does not mean reconsideration is pointless — it means the Social Security Administration (SSA) rarely reverses a denial without new evidence or a significant error in the first decision.
Reconsideration is the second step in the appeal process. A different examiner reviews your file from the beginning, but they are working from the same rules and the same medical evidence you submitted initially. If your case was denied because the SSA decided your condition does not meet their definition of disability, reconsideration alone will not change that unless you have new medical records, test results, or documentation the first examiner did not see.
Understanding these numbers helps you decide whether to stop at reconsideration or move forward to a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), where approval rates are substantially higher.
Key Takeaways
- Reconsideration approves roughly 10 to 15 percent of cases, meaning most denials stand at this stage.
- A reconsideration examiner reviews your entire file again but uses the same medical and legal standards as the first decision.
- New medical evidence — recent test results, updated doctor's statements, or records from a new provider — increases your chances at reconsideration.
- If reconsideration is denied, a hearing before an administrative law judge has a much higher approval rate, typically 40 to 50 percent.
- The time between requesting reconsideration and receiving a decision is usually 3 to 6 months, depending on your state.
Why Reconsideration Approval Rates Are So Low
The SSA denies most initial SSDI claims. Nationally, roughly 65 to 70 percent of first applications are denied. At reconsideration, the SSA is not reconsidering whether to give you a second chance — it is reconsidering whether the first denial was correct. A different examiner looks at the same evidence and asks the same question: does your medical condition meet the SSA's definition of disability?
If the first examiner concluded your condition does not prevent you from working, a second examiner reviewing the same records will often reach the same conclusion. The low approval rate reflects this reality. Reconsideration works best when you have something new to show — a recent hospitalization, a new diagnosis, test results that were not available before, or a statement from your doctor that your condition has worsened.
Without new evidence, reconsideration is unlikely to reverse the denial. This is why many people move directly to a hearing, where an administrative law judge can weigh your testimony and your doctor's testimony in person, not just review written records.
What New Medical Evidence Means for Your Reconsideration
New medical evidence is the single strongest reason a reconsideration examiner will reverse a denial. This means records, test results, or statements from a doctor dated after your initial process was denied. If you saw a specialist, had surgery, received a new diagnosis, or started a new treatment between the denial and your reconsideration request, that documentation can change the outcome.
The SSA defines "new" narrowly: the evidence must not have been available to the first examiner, or it must show a significant change in your condition. A letter from your doctor saying your condition has worsened since the initial decision counts. A test result from three months after the denial counts. A statement that you tried a new medication and it did not work counts.
If you are requesting reconsideration, gather all medical records dated after your denial letter. Contact your doctors and ask them to write a statement about your current condition and whether it prevents you from working. This is the material that gives reconsideration a real chance to succeed.
Approval Rates by Stage of Appeal
| Appeal Stage | Typical Approval Rate | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Initial process | 30 to 35 percent | 3 to 6 months |
| Reconsideration | 10 to 15 percent | 3 to 6 months |
| Hearing Before ALJ | 40 to 50 percent | 6 to 18 months |
| Appeals Council Review | 5 to 10 percent | 3 to 12 months |
These rates are national averages and vary by region, by the type of disability, and by the quality of medical evidence in your file. Some states have higher approval rates at reconsideration; others have lower ones. The pattern is consistent: reconsideration reverses very few denials, but a hearing before an ALJ reverses many more.
This is why many people who are denied at reconsideration choose to continue to a hearing rather than give up. The approval rate jumps significantly, and you have the chance to present your case in person and answer questions from the judge.
When Reconsideration Succeeds: Common Reasons for Approval
Reconsideration approvals usually fall into a few categories. The first is new medical evidence that clearly shows your condition is more severe than the initial records suggested. The second is an error in the first decision — the examiner misread your medical records, missed a diagnosis, or applied the wrong legal standard. The third is a change in your condition between the initial decision and reconsideration.
Errors at the initial level do happen. An examiner might overlook a hospitalization, misunderstand the side effects of your medication, or fail to request records from a specialist. If you believe the first decision contained an error, point it out clearly in your reconsideration request. Provide the correct information and cite the specific part of your medical records that was overlooked.
A fourth reason for approval, less common but real, is that your condition meets one of the SSA's "listings" — specific medical conditions that automatically may have access to for disability. If your medical records now show you meet a listing, reconsideration can approve your case even without new evidence, because the first examiner failed to recognize it.
What Happens If Reconsideration Is Denied
If reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is the third stage of appeal. At a hearing, you can testify, your doctor can testify (or submit a written statement), and the judge can ask you questions about your condition and your ability to work. The approval rate at this stage is much higher — typically 40 to 50 percent — because the judge is evaluating you as a person, not just reviewing a file.
Many people who are denied at reconsideration go on to win at a hearing. The hearing process takes longer — usually 6 to 18 months from request to decision — but the odds improve substantially. If you were denied at reconsideration and you believe your condition prevents you from working, requesting a hearing is a reasonable next step.
You do not need a lawyer to request a hearing, but many people find that a disability attorney or representative helps them prepare and present their case. Attorneys work on contingency, meaning they are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay.
How to Strengthen Your Reconsideration Request
If you are requesting reconsideration, include new medical evidence whenever possible. Write a clear letter explaining what has changed since the initial denial. If your condition has worsened, say so and provide documentation. If you have new medical records, attach them. If your doctor has written a statement about your condition, include that too.
Request your complete file from the SSA before you submit your reconsideration request. This file shows exactly what the first examiner saw. If something is missing — records from a hospital stay, test results, or a doctor's note — include it with your reconsideration request and point out that it was not in the original file.
Be specific about why you cannot work. Do not say "my condition is severe." Instead, describe what you cannot do: "I cannot sit for more than 30 minutes without pain," or "I have memory problems that prevent me from following multi-step instructions," or "I have seizures that occur without warning." The more specific you are, the easier it is for the examiner to understand your limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does requesting reconsideration hurt my chances at a hearing later?
No. Reconsideration is a separate review, and if it is denied, you move to a hearing with a fresh start. The hearing judge will see the reconsideration denial, but it does not count against you. Many people are denied at reconsideration and approved at a hearing.
How long does reconsideration take?
Reconsideration typically takes 3 to 6 months from the date you request it to the date you receive a decision. Some states are faster; some are slower. You can contact your local SSA office to ask about the current timeline in your state.
Can I submit new medical records after I request reconsideration?
Yes. You can submit new records at any time before the reconsideration decision is made. If you see a doctor or have a test after you request reconsideration, send those records to the SSA when ready and include a note saying they are new evidence for your reconsideration case.
What if my doctor says I cannot work but the SSA still denies me?
The SSA does not automatically approve cases based on a doctor's statement alone. The SSA uses its own medical standards to decide if your condition meets the definition of disability. If your doctor's statement does not address those standards — for example, if it does not describe your specific functional limitations — the SSA may deny you even with your doctor's support. A hearing gives you the chance to have your doctor explain your limitations directly to the judge.
Should I hire a lawyer for reconsideration?
Most people handle reconsideration without a lawyer, because it is a paper review and does not require you to appear in person. A lawyer becomes more valuable at the hearing stage, where presentation and testimony matter. If you are moving to a hearing, that is a good time to consider representation.