What a Quality Review Is and When You Can Request One
A Quality Review is a second look at your reconsideration decision by a different examiner at the Social Security Administration. It is not an appeal to a judge—it comes before that step. You request it when you disagree with the reconsideration decision (the first appeal level) and want SSA to review the case again before you move to a hearing.
You have 60 days from the date on your reconsideration notice to request a Quality Review. This important date is firm. If you miss it, your only remaining option is to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, which is the next formal appeal level.
A Quality Review is optional. Many people skip it and go straight to the hearing stage. The choice depends on whether you think a fresh look at your medical evidence might change the outcome, or whether you want to move faster toward a judge's decision.
Key Takeaways
- You have 60 days from your reconsideration notice to request a Quality Review, and this important date cannot be extended.
- A Quality Review sends your case to a different examiner who will look at the same medical evidence and your claim from the start.
- You request a Quality Review using Form SSA-561-U2, which you can obtain from your local Social Security office, by mail, or online.
- A Quality Review typically takes 20 to 30 days, making it faster than waiting for a hearing but slower than the initial reconsideration.
- If the Quality Review is also denied, you then have the right to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
How to Submit Your Quality Review Request
To request a Quality Review, you must complete Form SSA-561-U2 (Request for Quality Review). You do not need a lawyer to file it, though you can have one help you. The form asks you to explain why you disagree with the reconsideration decision and what new or overlooked evidence supports your claim.
You can obtain the form in three ways: visit your local Social Security office in person, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask them to mail it to you, or read it from ssa.gov. Once completed, mail it to the address listed on your reconsideration notice. Do not email it—Social Security only accepts paper forms for Quality Reviews.
Keep a copy of everything you send. Write your Social Security number clearly on the form and include any new medical records, test results, or doctor's statements that were not part of your original claim or reconsideration. If you are submitting new evidence, explain in writing why it is relevant and how it supports your disability claim.
What Happens During the Quality Review Process
Once SSA receives your request, they assign your case to a different examiner—not the person who made the reconsideration decision. This examiner reviews your entire file from the beginning: your medical records, work history, age, education, and the reasons the first examiner denied you.
The examiner does not hold a hearing or call you. They make their decision based on the written record. If you submitted new medical evidence, they will consider it. If you did not, they are reviewing the same documents the reconsideration examiner saw, but with fresh eyes.
You will not hear from SSA during this process unless they need to contact your doctor for more information. Most Quality Reviews are completed in 20 to 30 days, though some take longer if medical records are delayed or incomplete.
When a Quality Review Makes Sense
A Quality Review is worth requesting if you have new medical evidence that was not available during reconsideration—a recent hospitalization, a new diagnosis, test results, or a detailed statement from your treating doctor. The fresh examiner may weigh this evidence differently than the first examiner did.
A Quality Review is also reasonable if you believe the reconsideration examiner misread your medical records, ignored a key piece of evidence, or made a factual error about your work history or age. You should explain this clearly on the form so the new examiner knows what to focus on.
A Quality Review is less useful if you have no new evidence and the reconsideration decision was based on a straightforward disagreement about whether your condition is severe enough to prevent work. In that case, a hearing before a judge—where you can testify and your doctor can be questioned—may be more likely to change the outcome.
Timeline and What Comes Next
The Quality Review process typically follows this timeline: you submit your request within 60 days of the reconsideration notice, SSA receives and processes it (a few days), the examiner reviews the case (20 to 30 days), and you receive a written decision by mail.
If the Quality Review is approved, you will receive a notice explaining the decision and any back pay owed. If it is denied, you will receive a new notice with the reasons and your right to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You then have 60 days from that notice to request the hearing.
Do not wait for the Quality Review decision to prepare for a possible hearing. If you think you may need a lawyer, begin looking for one now. Many disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they are paid only if you win, and they can represent you at the hearing stage.
Requesting a Quality Review Without a Lawyer
You do not need a lawyer to request or participate in a Quality Review. The form is straightforward, and you can write your explanation in plain language. Focus on being clear and specific: instead of "my condition is worse," write "I was hospitalized for three days in March 2024 for pneumonia, and my doctor says I cannot work more than two hours a day."
If you do use a lawyer, they typically charge a fee only if you win at some point in the appeal process. The fee is capped at 25 percent of your back pay, up to a maximum of $7,200 (this amount may change). A lawyer can help you gather medical evidence, explain why the reconsideration decision was wrong, and prepare you for a hearing if the Quality Review is denied.
Common Reasons Quality Reviews Are Denied
A Quality Review is denied for the same reasons the reconsideration was denied: SSA concludes your medical condition does not meet the severity threshold for disability, your condition is expected to improve within 12 months, or you are still able to work despite your impairments. A different examiner reaching the same conclusion does not mean the decision is wrong—it means two examiners reviewed the same evidence and agreed.
Quality Reviews are also denied when new evidence submitted is not strong enough to change the outcome. For example, if your doctor's statement says you "may have difficulty" working but does not say you cannot work, that may not be enough to overturn the denial. SSA looks for medical evidence showing you cannot do any work, not just your past job.
If your Quality Review is denied, you still have the right to a hearing before a judge. At that stage, you can testify, your doctor can be questioned, and a judge can weigh the evidence differently than the examiners did. Many people who are denied at the Quality Review stage are approved at the hearing stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a Quality Review if I missed the 60-day important date?
No. The 60-day important date cannot be extended. If you miss it, your only option is to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You have 60 days from the reconsideration notice to make that request instead.
Do I have to request a Quality Review before I can have a hearing?
No. A Quality Review is optional. You can skip it and go straight to requesting a hearing before a judge. Some people do this because they want to move faster or because they believe a judge will be more likely to approve their claim than another examiner.
What if I get new medical evidence after I submit my Quality Review request?
Contact the address listed on your reconsideration notice and ask to submit additional evidence. Explain that you are requesting a Quality Review and have new medical records to include. Send the records by mail and keep a copy for yourself.
How long does a Quality Review take compared to a hearing?
A Quality Review usually takes 20 to 30 days. A hearing before a judge typically takes 4 to 6 months from the time you request it until the hearing date, though this varies by location. If speed is important, a Quality Review is faster.
Can I talk to the examiner during a Quality Review?
No. A Quality Review is a paper review only. The examiner does not call you or hold a hearing. If you need to explain your case in person or answer questions, you will have that chance at the hearing stage if the Quality Review is denied.