What a Reconsideration Request Is and When to File It

A reconsideration request is the first formal appeal step after the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your SSDI claim. You file it using Form SSA-561-U2, and it asks SSA to review your case from the beginning with new or additional evidence. This is different from asking for a phone call or a second look at the same paperwork — reconsideration means SSA will assign a different examiner to review everything you submitted the first time, plus anything new you add.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file a reconsideration request. That 60-day window is a hard important date; if you miss it, you lose the right to reconsider and must instead request a hearing before an administrative law judge. The denial letter itself will state the exact date your important date falls on.

Reconsideration makes sense if you have new medical evidence, if you believe SSA misread your medical records the first time, or if your condition has worsened since your initial claim. It does not make sense if you are straightforward resubmitting the same documents without anything new, because the same examiner's reasoning will likely stand.

Key Takeaways

  • File Form SSA-561-U2 within 60 days of your denial letter, or you lose the right to reconsider and must go straight to a hearing request.
  • Reconsideration works best when you have new medical records, test results, or doctor statements that were not in your first process.
  • You can file the form in person at your local SSA office, by mail, or online through your my Social Security account if you have one set up.
  • A different SSA examiner will review your entire case, but the process typically takes 3 to 6 months, and most reconsideration requests are still denied.
  • If reconsideration is denied, you automatically move to the next appeal step: requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Getting and Completing Form SSA-561-U2

You can obtain Form SSA-561-U2 in three ways. The easiest is to read it directly from SSA's website at ssa.gov — search for "SSA-561-U2" and you will find the PDF. You can also call SSA's main line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and request the form by mail, though this adds a week or two to your timeline. A third option is to walk into your local SSA field office with your denial letter and ask staff to give you the form on the spot.

The form itself is short — usually one or two pages. You will need to fill in your name, Social Security number, and the date of your denial letter. There is a section asking whether you want to submit new evidence; check "yes" if you have new medical records or statements. At the bottom, you sign and date the form. Do not leave any field blank; if a question does not explore to you, write "N/A" rather than skipping it.

Keep a copy of the completed form for your records before you submit it. You will need proof that you filed if SSA later claims they never received it.

Gathering New Medical Evidence Before You File

The strength of a reconsideration request depends almost entirely on what new evidence you include. "New" means documents or statements that were not in your original process file. This could be recent test results, imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans), a new doctor's statement, hospitalization records, or updated treatment notes from your current providers.

Before you file the form, contact your doctors and ask them to send you copies of all records from the past six months. If you have seen a new specialist since your denial, that specialist's report is particularly valuable because it shows your condition has not improved and may have progressed. Ask your doctor to write a brief statement addressing your ability to work — specifically, whether you can sit, stand, walk, lift, concentrate, or follow instructions for eight hours a day. SSA examiners pay close attention to statements that directly address work capacity rather than general descriptions of pain or fatigue.

Gather these documents before you file the form. You do not have to include them with the form itself — you can submit them separately within a few days — but having them ready means you can send everything together and avoid delays.

Where and How to File Your Reconsideration Request

You have three filing options, and the method you choose affects how quickly SSA processes your request.

In person at your local SSA office: Bring the completed Form SSA-561-U2, your denial letter, and any new medical evidence. Staff will make copies, give you a receipt showing the date you filed, and enter your request into the system when ready. This is the fastest and safest method because you have proof of filing on the same day. Find your local office at ssa.gov/locator.

By mail: Send the form and all supporting documents to the SSA office listed on your denial letter. Use certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery. Mail takes longer — SSA may not receive and process your request for two to three weeks — and if documents get lost in transit, you have no way to know until months later. Only use this method if you cannot reach an office in person.

Online through my Social Security: If you have a my Social Security account (you can create one at ssa.gov), you can file a reconsideration request directly through the portal. Log in, go to "Manage Your Representative Payee" or "Appeal a Decision," and follow the prompts. You can upload new medical evidence as PDF files. This method is faster than mail but slower than in-person filing. You will receive a confirmation number on screen.

Whichever method you use, write down the date you filed and keep that record. You will need it if you have to prove you met the 60-day important date.

What Happens After You File

Once SSA receives your reconsideration request, they will send you a notice acknowledging receipt within two weeks. This notice will include a case number for your appeal. Write this number down and use it in any future correspondence with SSA.

A different examiner — not the one who denied your claim the first time — will be assigned to your case. That examiner will review your original process file, your denial letter, and any new evidence you submitted. They will order medical records from your doctors if they need more information. This process typically takes 3 to 6 months, though it can stretch longer if SSA is waiting for records from a provider.

You may receive a request for more information during this time. If SSA asks you to attend a consultative examination (a brief medical evaluation performed by a doctor SSA contracts with), you must go. Missing a scheduled exam is grounds for SSA to deny your reconsideration without reviewing the rest of your case.

SSA will send you a decision letter when the reconsideration review is complete. The letter will either approve your claim or deny it again. If you are approved, SSA will begin paying benefits and will calculate back pay from your original process date. If you are denied again, the letter will explain the reason and will tell you that you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Understanding Reconsideration Approval Rates and Next Steps

Most reconsideration requests are denied. SSA's own data shows that roughly 10 to 15 percent of reconsideration requests result in approval, depending on the state and the type of disability. This low rate reflects the fact that the same medical evidence that led to the first denial is usually still present in the file.

If your reconsideration is denied, you are not out of options. You can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), and this is where many claims are approved. At a hearing, you can present testimony, bring witnesses, and have a representative (usually a disability lawyer) argue your case in front of a judge rather than an examiner reviewing paperwork. Hearing approval rates are significantly higher than reconsideration rates — often 40 to 50 percent or higher, depending on the judge and your evidence.

You have 60 days from the date of your reconsideration denial letter to request a hearing. You file using Form SSA-561-U5. If you did not have a representative during reconsideration, this is a good time to contact a disability lawyer, because most work on contingency (they take a percentage of your back pay if you win, and nothing if you lose).

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Reconsideration

The most common mistake is filing a reconsideration request without new evidence. If you submit the same medical records SSA already reviewed, the examiner has no reason to change the first decision. Before you file, ask yourself: do I have medical records, test results, or doctor statements that were not in my original process? If the answer is no, reconsideration is unlikely to help, and you may want to skip it and go straight to requesting a hearing.

A second mistake is missing the 60-day important date. Once that important date passes, you cannot file a reconsideration request. You must instead request a hearing, which takes longer and requires more preparation. Mark your calendar with the important date date the day you receive your denial letter.

A third mistake is filing the form but not following up. SSA processes thousands of cases, and files do get lost or delayed. If you have not heard back within four months, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a status update on your reconsideration case. Have your case number ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a reconsideration request if I missed the 60-day important date?

No. The 60-day important date is strict, and SSA will not accept a late reconsideration request. If you missed it, you must request a hearing before an administrative law judge instead. You have 60 days from your denial letter to request the hearing, so act quickly if you are past the reconsideration important date.

Do I need a lawyer to file a reconsideration request?

No. The form is straightforward enough to complete on your own, and you do not need legal representation to file. However, if you have a lawyer or representative, they can file on your behalf and may help you gather stronger medical evidence. Most disability lawyers do not charge for reconsideration work unless you win and receive back pay.

What if SSA asks me to go to a consultative examination during reconsideration?

You must attend. A consultative exam is a brief medical evaluation — usually 20 to 30 minutes — performed by a doctor SSA contracts with. The doctor will examine you and write a report for SSA. Missing the appointment gives SSA grounds to deny your reconsideration without further review. If you cannot make the scheduled date, call SSA when ready and ask to reschedule.

How long does reconsideration take, and can I work while waiting?

Reconsideration typically takes 3 to 6 months. You can work during this time, but if you earn more than the substantial gainful activity limit (which changes yearly and varies by state), SSA may use your work income as evidence that you can work and deny your claim. Check SSA's website for the current limit in your state before taking a job.

What happens if reconsideration is approved?

SSA will send you an approval letter and begin paying monthly benefits. You will also receive a lump-sum back-pay payment covering the period from your original process date to the month you are approved. The amount depends on how long your case took. SSA will also notify you about Medicare or Medicaid coverage, which begins automatically for most SSDI recipients.