What a Request for Reconsideration Is

A Request for Reconsideration is the first formal appeal step after the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your SSDI claim. It means you ask SSA to look at your case again, usually with new medical evidence or a corrected process. You do not appear before a judge at this stage — an SSA examiner reviews your file on paper.

You have 60 calendar days from the date on your denial letter to file. If you miss this window, you can still appeal, but you will need to show SSA good reason for the delay (called "cause"), which makes the process longer. The 60-day clock starts the day SSA mails the letter, not the day you receive it.

Most people file a Request for Reconsideration because their first process was incomplete, because they have new medical records since the denial, or because they believe SSA misunderstood their medical condition. About 15 percent of reconsideration requests are approved, so this step rarely reverses a denial on its own — but it creates a record and gives you a chance to add missing information before a hearing.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 60 calendar days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration, and missing this important date requires you to prove good cause for the delay.
  • A reconsideration is a paper review by a different SSA examiner, not a hearing in front of a judge, and you do not need to attend an interview.
  • You should include any new medical evidence, corrected information, or documents that were missing from your first process.
  • If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, which is where most SSDI appeals succeed.

How to File Your Request for Reconsideration

You can file in three ways: online through your my Social Security account, by mail, or in person at your local SSA office. Filing online is fastest — you can do it when ready and receive confirmation the same day. To file online, log into your account at ssa.gov, go to "My Appeals," and select "Request for Reconsideration."

If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need an email address, a password, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or U.S. mailing address on file with SSA). Account setup takes about 10 minutes.

To file by mail, read Form SSA-561-U2 from ssa.gov or request it by phone at 1-800-772-1213. Fill it out, sign it, and mail it to the address listed on your denial letter — this address is specific to your local SSA office. Mail typically takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive, so file early if you are near the 60-day important date.

Filing in person means walking into your local SSA office with the form and any documents you want to include. You do not need an appointment for this — just bring your Social Security card and photo ID. The office staff will accept your request and give you a receipt showing the date filed.

What Documents to Include With Your Request

You are not required to include anything beyond the form itself, but your chances improve if you send new or corrected information. The most useful documents are recent medical records — test results, imaging reports, treatment notes, or specialist letters dated after your original process or after your denial.

If your first process was missing information, include it now. This might be employment records, school records, statements from people who know your condition, or clarification of dates and addresses. If SSA misunderstood something in your medical history, include a letter from your doctor explaining what SSA got wrong.

Do not send originals of important documents — send copies only. SSA does not return documents, and you may need originals for a hearing later. If you have a large stack of records, number the pages and include a cover sheet listing what you are sending.

You can mail documents with your form, or you can upload them through your my Social Security account after you file. Uploading is faster and creates an when ready record — mail can get lost or delayed. If you upload, keep copies of what you sent.

What Happens After You File

SSA will send you a receipt letter within 5 to 10 business days confirming that your request was received. This letter includes a case number and the name of the examiner assigned to your case. Keep this letter — you will need the case number if you call SSA with questions.

The examiner will review your entire file: your original process, your medical records, your work history, and any new documents you submitted. This review usually takes 3 to 6 months, though it can take longer if SSA needs to request additional records from your doctors.

During this time, you can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to check the status of your case. Have your case number ready. You can also check online through your my Social Security account — the status updates there as well, though sometimes with a delay of a few days.

SSA will mail you a decision letter when the review is complete. The letter will say either that your claim is approved, that it is denied again, or that SSA needs more information from you. If they need more information, they will tell you what they need and give you a important date to send it — usually 10 days.

If Your Reconsideration Is Denied

If SSA denies your reconsideration, you have the right to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is the next appeal step, and it is where most SSDI cases are decided. You have 60 calendar days from the date on the reconsideration denial letter to request a hearing.

A hearing is different from a reconsideration: you appear before a judge (usually by video or phone), you can bring a representative, and you can present new evidence and testimony. Judges approve about 40 to 50 percent of cases that reach hearing, compared to 15 percent at reconsideration.

You do not have to wait for a reconsideration decision before preparing for a hearing. If you know your reconsideration is unlikely to succeed, you can request a hearing as soon as your reconsideration is denied, or you can ask SSA to combine the two requests (called a "on-the-record" decision). Talk to a representative about your options.

When to Hire a Representative

You do not need a lawyer or representative to file a reconsideration request — the form is straightforward and you can do it yourself. However, a representative can help you gather medical evidence, explain why SSA denied you, and prepare for a hearing if reconsideration fails.

Representatives include disability lawyers, non-lawyer advocates, and paralegals certified by SSA. They charge a fee only if you win — typically 25 percent of your back pay, up to a maximum of $7,200 (this cap changes yearly). SSA must approve the fee before the representative can collect it.

You can find representatives through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR), your state bar association, or local legal aid offices. Many offer free consultations. If cost is a barrier, legal aid may represent you at no charge if you meet their income limits.

Common Reasons Reconsideration Requests Are Denied

SSA denies most reconsideration requests for the same reason they denied the original claim: the medical evidence does not show that your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability. SSA's definition is strict — you must have a condition that prevents you from doing any work for at least 12 months or that is terminal.

Other common reasons include incomplete medical records (SSA could not reach your doctors), inconsistency between what you reported and what your medical records show, or work activity that SSA believes shows you are able to work. If your reconsideration is denied, the decision letter will explain which reason applies to you.

If the reason is missing medical evidence, gather those records and include them in your hearing request. If the reason is that SSA thinks you can work, prepare to explain at a hearing why your condition prevents work. If there is inconsistency in your file, clarify it in writing before your hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss the 60-day important date to request reconsideration?

You can still file, but you must explain to SSA why you missed the important date. SSA calls this "good cause." Reasons that usually count include serious illness, not receiving the denial letter, or a representative's error. File as soon as you realize you missed the important date and include a written explanation of why.

Can I request reconsideration more than once?

No. You get one reconsideration request per denial. After that, your only option is to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. If a judge denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and then to federal court, but you cannot ask for another reconsideration.

Do I have to stop working while my reconsideration is pending?

No. You can work while your case is under review. However, if you earn more than the SSA's monthly limit (called "substantial gainful activity"), SSA may use that as a reason to deny your claim. The limit changes yearly — check ssa.gov for the current amount.

Will SSA contact my doctors during reconsideration?

Yes, SSA often requests updated medical records from your doctors as part of the reconsideration review. Your doctors are not required to respond quickly, which is why reconsideration can take several months. You can speed this up by requesting records from your doctors yourself and sending them to SSA.

What is the difference between reconsideration and a hearing?

Reconsideration is a paper review by an SSA examiner. A hearing is an in-person or video appearance before a judge, where you can testify and present evidence. Hearings approve cases at a much higher rate than reconsiderations, so most people who are denied at reconsideration move forward to a hearing.