What the approval rate actually is

Social Security does not publish a single national reconsideration approval rate. The rate varies by state, by the year, and by which office processes your case. In recent years, reconsideration approvals have ranged from roughly 10% to 15% nationally, but some states approve closer to 20% while others stay below 10%.

The reason the number shifts is that reconsideration decisions depend partly on whether new medical evidence arrives with your request. If you send the same records Social Security already reviewed, your chances are lower. If you submit recent test results, updated doctor's statements, or records from a specialist you did not see during the first decision, your chances improve.

This means the approval rate you see in a report is not the rate you face. Your rate depends on what you send and how your condition has changed since the initial denial.

Key Takeaways

  • Reconsideration approvals run between 10% and 15% nationally, but vary significantly by state and by whether you submit new medical evidence.
  • Sending the same medical records that were already reviewed is unlikely to change the decision, so new or updated evidence matters most.
  • Your state's approval rate does not predict your individual outcome, because reconsiderations with new evidence perform better than those without.
  • If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, where approval rates are substantially higher.

Why reconsideration approvals are low

Reconsideration is the second level of review, and it uses the same medical standard as the initial decision. The same doctor or medical consultant who reviewed your file the first time often reviews it again. If they found your condition did not meet the rules for disability the first time, they are unlikely to change that view without new information.

Social Security's own data shows that reconsiderations approved at lower rates than initial decisions in most recent years. This is partly because people who appeal tend to have weaker cases — if the evidence clearly showed disability, the initial decision would have been yes. But it is also because many reconsiderations do not include new medical records.

The people who succeed at reconsideration are usually those who saw a doctor after the initial denial, got new test results, or found medical records from an earlier period that were missing from the first file.

How new medical evidence changes your chances

When you request reconsideration, you can submit additional records. This is your main tool for improving the outcome. New evidence means records dated after your initial decision, or older records that were not in your file when Social Security first reviewed it.

Examples of new evidence that matter: a recent MRI or CT scan showing progression of your condition, a letter from your current doctor describing your limitations, hospital discharge papers from a recent admission, or mental health treatment records from a specialist you began seeing after the denial.

If you submit only the same records Social Security already reviewed, the reconsideration examiner has no reason to reach a different conclusion. The examiner is not required to change their mind without new information. This is why many reconsiderations are denied — the person requesting reconsideration did not send anything the initial decision-maker had not already seen.

State-by-state variation in approval rates

Some states approve reconsiderations at rates above 15%, while others stay below 10%. This variation reflects differences in the population explore, the types of conditions most common in each state, and the medical consultants who work for each state's Disability information Service.

Your state's average rate is useful context, but it does not predict your individual decision. A person in a low-approval state who submits strong new medical evidence can still be approved. A person in a high-approval state who sends no new records can still be denied.

You can find your state's reconsideration approval rate in Social Security's annual statistical reports, published on their website. These reports break down decisions by state and by decision level (initial, reconsideration, and hearing).

What happens if reconsideration is denied

If Social Security denies your reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is the third level of review. Approval rates at the hearing level are substantially higher — typically 40% to 50% nationally, depending on the year and state.

A hearing is different from reconsideration because a judge reviews your case in person (or by video), hears testimony from you and your doctor if you have one, and can ask questions. The judge is not bound by the initial decision or the reconsideration decision. Many judges approve cases that were denied twice before.

You have 60 days from the date on the reconsideration denial letter to request a hearing. If you miss that important date, you can still request a hearing, but you will need to explain the delay to Social Security.

How to strengthen your reconsideration request

Before you submit your reconsideration, gather any medical records dated after your initial denial. Call your doctors' offices and ask for records from the past year. If you have been hospitalized, had surgery, started a new medication, or seen a specialist, get those records.

Write a brief statement describing how your condition has affected your ability to work since the initial decision. Include specific examples: days you could not get out of bed, times you had to leave work, or tasks you cannot do. This statement should be one or two pages, not longer.

Include a letter from your doctor if possible. The letter does not need to be long. It should state your diagnosis, describe your current symptoms and limitations, and say whether your condition has worsened since the initial decision. A doctor's statement carries more weight than your own account.

Submit everything together with your reconsideration request form. Do not wait to send records later — Social Security will make a decision based on what is in the file when they review it.

Understanding the timeline for reconsideration

Social Security has up to 120 days to make a reconsideration decision, though many are completed faster. In practice, reconsiderations often take 60 to 90 days. The timeline can be longer if Social Security needs to order new medical evidence or if your file is sent to a medical consultant who is backlogged.

You will receive a written decision in the mail. The letter will explain whether your reconsideration was approved or denied, and it will include the reasons for the decision. If you disagree, the letter will tell you how to request a hearing.

You can check the status of your reconsideration by logging into your Social Security account online or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does submitting more medical records may provide a different decision?

No. New medical records improve your chances, but they do not may provide approval. The examiner will review the new records using the same disability standard as the initial decision. If the new records still do not show that your condition meets the rules for disability, the reconsideration will be denied.

Should I hire a lawyer for reconsideration?

Many people win reconsiderations without a lawyer, especially if they submit strong new medical evidence. A lawyer is not required. However, if your case is complex or you have already been denied twice, a lawyer can help you prepare for a hearing, which has higher approval rates.

What if my doctor will not write a letter supporting my claim?

You cannot force a doctor to write a letter. If your doctor will not support your claim, consider seeing a different doctor who has treated you for your condition. You can also submit medical records from any doctor who has treated you, even if they did not write a letter.

Can I request reconsideration more than once?

No. You get one reconsideration. After that, your only option is to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. You cannot go back to reconsideration after it is denied.

What is the difference between reconsideration and a hearing?

Reconsideration is a paper review by a medical consultant or examiner. A hearing is an in-person or video meeting with a judge who can ask you questions and hear from your doctor. Hearings approve cases at much higher rates — typically 40% to 50% compared to 10% to 15% for reconsiderations.