What a Reconsideration Appeal Is and When You Use It
A reconsideration is the first appeal step after Social Security denies your SSDI claim. You ask Social Security to look at your case again, usually with new medical evidence or to correct factual errors in the original decision. A different examiner reviews your file from the start — it is not a conversation or a hearing, just a paper review.
You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file for reconsideration. If you miss that window, you cannot file a reconsideration; you move straight to the next appeal level (a hearing before an administrative law judge). The 60-day clock starts the day Social Security mails the letter, not the day you receive it.
Reconsideration makes sense if you have new medical records, test results, or hospital visits that happened after your original process. It also makes sense if your first process contained errors — wrong dates, missing work history, or incomplete medical information. If your medical evidence was already complete and current when you first applied, reconsideration rarely changes the outcome, and you may want to skip to a hearing instead.
Key Takeaways
- You have 60 days from your denial letter to file for reconsideration, and missing this important date means you cannot use this appeal level.
- A reconsideration is a paper review by a different examiner; you do not attend a hearing or speak to anyone at Social Security.
- New medical evidence — recent test results, hospital records, or doctor statements — gives reconsideration the best chance of success.
- You file by mail or in person at your local Social Security office using Form SSA-561-U2, and Social Security will tell you the decision in writing within 20 to 30 days.
- If reconsideration is denied, you automatically move to the next appeal level: a hearing before an administrative law judge.
How to File Your Reconsideration Request
Start by getting Form SSA-561-U2 (Request for Reconsideration). You can read it from ssa.gov, pick it up at your local Social Security office, or ask Social Security to mail it to you. The form is short — it asks for your name, Social Security number, and the date of your original process.
Fill out the form and gather your supporting documents. Include your original denial letter (the one that started your 60-day clock). Then add any new medical evidence: recent doctor visit summaries, lab results, imaging reports, hospital discharge papers, or letters from your doctors describing your condition and limitations. Do not send original documents — make copies. Social Security will not return originals, and you may need them later.
Mail the completed form and copies to the address on your denial letter, or take them in person to your local Social Security office. If you mail them, keep a copy of everything you send and note the date. If you go in person, ask for a receipt showing what you turned in and when. Either way, Social Security will send you a notice saying they received your reconsideration request.
What Happens During the Reconsideration Review
After you file, a different examiner at Social Security's Disability information Services office (a state agency that works for Social Security) will review your entire case. They read your original process, your medical records, any new evidence you submitted, and the reason the first examiner denied you. This review takes 20 to 30 days on average, though it can stretch longer if they need to request additional medical records from your doctors.
You will not speak to the examiner, attend a hearing, or have a chance to explain your case in person. The decision is based entirely on the written record. If Social Security needs more information — for example, a doctor's statement about your work capacity — they may contact your doctors directly and ask them to complete a form. You will not see these communications before the decision is made.
The examiner uses the same standard as the first examiner: can you do any kind of work, considering your age, education, work history, and medical condition? They are looking for whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working at any job, not just your old job. New medical evidence that shows your condition has worsened, or that was missing from your first process, is what typically changes the outcome.
What to Include With Your Reconsideration Request
| Document Type | Why It Matters | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Original denial letter | Proves your 60-day window and shows what the first examiner said about your case | Your mail; Social Security can resend if lost |
| Recent medical records (within last 3 months) | Shows your current condition; new records are the main reason reconsiderations succeed | Your doctor's office or hospital records department |
| Doctor's statement about your limitations | Explains how your condition affects your ability to work | Ask your doctor to write a letter or complete SSA form RFC-3 |
| Lab results or imaging reports | Objective evidence of your condition | Your doctor's office or the testing facility |
| Corrected work history or dates | Fixes errors in your original process | You provide; include a letter explaining what was wrong |
Common Reasons Reconsiderations Are Denied
The most common reason reconsideration is denied is that you submitted the same medical evidence as your first process, with no new information. If your doctors said the same things in your first process that they say now, a different examiner will likely reach the same conclusion. Social Security denies roughly 85 percent of reconsiderations, so the odds are against you unless something material has changed.
A second common reason is that your medical records do not show you cannot work. For example, if your doctor says you have pain but your imaging is normal, or if you have a diagnosis but no test results or functional limitations, Social Security may conclude you can still do some kind of work. Vague statements like "patient is disabled" do not carry weight; Social Security needs specific information about what you cannot do.
Errors in your original process — missing work history, wrong dates, incomplete medical information — can also lead to denial if you do not correct them in your reconsideration request. If you know your first process was incomplete, include a letter pointing out what was missing and provide the correct information now.
What Happens After Reconsideration
Social Security will mail you a written decision. If reconsideration is approved, you will receive a notice saying your benefits are granted, along with information about your first payment date and monthly benefit amount. Your case is closed, and you move into the ongoing benefits phase.
If reconsideration is denied, you automatically move to the next appeal level: a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). You do not have to do anything to move forward — Social Security will send you a notice explaining your right to a hearing and how to request one. You have 60 days from that notice to ask for a hearing. At a hearing, you can present evidence, have a representative speak for you, and answer questions from the judge. Hearings are where most SSDI denials are eventually overturned, so a denied reconsideration is not the end of your case.
How to Strengthen Your Reconsideration Request
Get medical records from every doctor or specialist you have seen since your original process. Include not just diagnoses but functional limitations: what you cannot do because of your condition. For example, instead of "arthritis," Social Security needs to know "cannot stand for more than 30 minutes" or "cannot lift more than 5 pounds." Ask your doctors to be specific about what your condition prevents you from doing.
If you have been hospitalized, had surgery, or started a new medication since your first process, include those records. These show that your condition has changed or worsened. If you have been unable to work since your original process, include a letter explaining that and any evidence of job attempts that failed because of your condition.
Consider having a representative — a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate — review your case before you file. They can tell you whether reconsideration is worth pursuing or whether you should skip to a hearing. Many representatives work on contingency, meaning they take a fee only if you win, so there is no upfront cost. You can find representatives through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) or your state bar association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a reconsideration if I missed the 60-day important date?
No. Once 60 days pass from your denial letter, you cannot file a reconsideration. You move straight to requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge. If you believe you have a good reason for missing the important date (for example, you were hospitalized), you can ask Social Security for a waiver, but this is rarely granted. Contact your local Social Security office when ready if you think you may have missed the important date.
Do I need a lawyer to file for reconsideration?
No. The form is straightforward, and you can file on your own. However, a representative can help you gather strong medical evidence and decide whether reconsideration is your best next step. Many people skip reconsideration and go straight to a hearing, where a representative's help is more valuable. A lawyer or advocate can advise you on which path makes sense for your case.
How long does reconsideration take?
Social Security typically makes a decision within 20 to 30 days. If they need to request additional medical records from your doctors, it can take longer — sometimes 60 days or more. You will receive a written notice of the decision by mail. You can call your local Social Security office to check on the status if you have not heard back after 45 days.
What if my condition got worse after I filed for reconsideration?
Include the new medical evidence in your reconsideration request if you have not filed yet. If you have already filed and your condition worsened, you can contact Social Security and ask them to add the new records to your file before they make a decision. Once a decision is made, you cannot add evidence to that reconsideration, but you can use the new evidence at your hearing if reconsideration is denied.
Can I work while my reconsideration is pending?
Yes. Filing for reconsideration does not affect your ability to work. However, if you are working and earning more than the substantial gainful activity limit (which changes yearly), Social Security may use that as evidence that you can work and deny your case. If you do work while appealing, keep records of any limitations or difficulties you experience because of your condition.