Appeal Under Review is the Status Between When You File and When You Get a Decision

Appeal Under Review means the Social Security Administration (SSA) has received your appeal and assigned it to a reviewer—usually a disability examiner or an administrative law judge, depending on which appeal level you are at. It is not a decision. It is a holding status that tells you your case is in the queue and being worked on, but no information has been made yet.

The status appears in your Social Security account online and in any letters SSA sends you during this period. You will see it after you file a Request for Reconsideration (the first appeal level) or a Request for Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (the second level). The length of time your case stays in this status varies widely by location and current caseload.

This status does not mean you are approved, denied, or close to either one. It means your file is open and moving through the review process. Understanding what happens during this period—and what you can do while waiting—helps you prepare for the actual decision.

Key Takeaways

  • Appeal Under Review means SSA has your case and is actively reviewing it, but has not yet made a decision.
  • The time your case spends under review ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on whether you are at the Reconsideration level or the Hearing level.
  • You can submit new medical evidence while your case is under review, and SSA must consider it before issuing a decision.
  • You will receive written notice when the decision is made, either by mail or through your online Social Security account.
  • If you are waiting for a Hearing level decision, you may be able to request a status update from the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).

How Long Cases Stay Under Review at Each Appeal Level

The time frame depends on which level of appeal you filed. At the Reconsideration level (the first appeal), cases typically stay under review for 3 to 6 months. SSA sends your file to a different examiner than the one who made the original denial, and that examiner reviews your entire case from the start.

At the Hearing level (the second appeal), cases often take longer. An administrative law judge must review your file, and in many parts of the country, there is a backlog. Hearing-level cases may stay under review for 6 months to over a year, depending on your region. Some areas move faster than others.

SSA does not always send you a letter when your case moves into Under Review status. You may only see it if you check your account online through my Social Security or if you call SSA directly. Checking your account every few weeks during this period is the most reliable way to track where your case stands.

What SSA is Doing While Your Case is Under Review

During the Under Review period, the examiner or judge assigned to your case is reading your medical records, work history, and any statements you submitted with your appeal. They are checking whether the original decision followed the rules and whether the evidence supports a finding that you are disabled.

If you filed at the Reconsideration level, the examiner may request additional medical records from your doctors or hospitals. They may also order a consultative examination (a medical exam paid for by SSA) if they need more current information about your condition. You will receive a notice if this happens, telling you where and when to go.

At the Hearing level, the judge may also request records, but the judge will ultimately make the decision based on what is presented at your hearing or in your written file. If you have not yet had a hearing, the Under Review status means the judge is reviewing your file and may be scheduling your hearing date.

Submitting New Medical Evidence While Under Review

You can send new medical records, test results, or doctor's statements to SSA at any time while your case is under review. This is one of the most important things you can do during this waiting period. New evidence that shows your condition has worsened or that you have been diagnosed with a new condition can change the outcome.

Send new evidence to the address listed on your most recent SSA letter. Include your name, Social Security number, and a note explaining what the evidence is and why it matters to your case. Keep a copy for your records. SSA must consider any evidence you submit before the decision is issued.

If you are waiting for a Hearing level decision, you can also submit evidence directly to the judge's office (ODAR). The address will be on your hearing notice. Submitting evidence early—rather than waiting until the hearing date—gives the judge time to review it before making a decision.

Checking Your Case Status Online and by Phone

The most direct way to see your case status is to log into my Social Security at ssa.gov. Once you are logged in, go to "Manage Your Benefits" and look for your appeal. The status will show as "Appeal Under Review" or may give more detail about which stage of review it is in.

If you do not have an online account, you can create one using your email address and a password. You will need to verify your identity, which SSA does through a third-party service. Once your account is set up, you can check your status anytime without calling.

You can also call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative for a status update. Have your Social Security number ready. The representative can tell you whether your case is still under review and may be able to give you an estimated timeframe, though SSA cannot may provide when a decision will be made.

What Happens When the Decision is Made

When the review is complete, SSA will issue a written decision. You will receive it by mail, and it will also appear in your online account. The decision will be one of three outcomes: approved (your benefits are awarded), denied (your appeal is rejected), or partially approved (you are approved for a different period or a different benefit than you requested).

The decision letter will explain the reason for the outcome and will cite the medical and non-medical evidence SSA used to reach it. If you are denied again, the letter will tell you how to file the next level of appeal and the important date for doing so.

If you are approved, the letter will tell you the effective date of your benefits (the date your payments begin) and your first payment date. If you are denied, you have 60 days from the date on the decision letter to file the next appeal, if you choose to.

What to Do if Your Case Stays Under Review Too Long

If your case has been under review for longer than the typical timeframe for your region and you have not heard anything, you can request a status update. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and explain that your case has been pending for a specific amount of time. Ask whether there is a delay and whether anything is missing from your file.

Sometimes cases are delayed because SSA is waiting for medical records from a doctor's office or because there is a backlog in your region. If records are missing, you can help speed things up by contacting your doctor and asking them to send the records directly to SSA. Include SSA's address and your Social Security number in your request.

If you are at the Hearing level and your case has been pending for over a year, you may also contact your local Legal Aid office or a disability advocate to ask whether they can help you request a status update or escalate your case. Some regions have faster processing than others, and an advocate familiar with your local ODAR office may be able to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Appeal Under Review mean I am getting approved?

No. It means your case is being reviewed, but no decision has been made. The status does not predict the outcome. Cases that are ultimately denied also spend time in Under Review status.

Can I work while my appeal is under review?

Yes. You can work and earn money while waiting for a decision. If you are approved, SSA will look at your work history and earnings to determine your benefit amount, but working during the appeal does not hurt your chances of being approved.

What if I move while my case is under review?

Tell SSA your new address right away. You can update it online through my Social Security, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local SSA office. If SSA sends mail to an old address and you do not receive it, you may miss important notices or important date.

Can I withdraw my appeal after I file it?

Yes, you can withdraw your appeal at any time while it is under review. You would do this if you decide you no longer want to pursue it. Contact SSA in writing or by phone to withdraw. If you withdraw, your original denial stays in place.

What if I disagree with the decision when it comes?

If you are denied at the Reconsideration level, you can file a Request for Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge. If you are denied at the Hearing level, you can file an appeal to the Appeals Council. Each level has a 60-day important date from the date on the decision letter.