Reconsideration approval rates vary by year and region, but federal data shows roughly 10 to 15 percent of reconsideration appeals are approved

When Social Security denies your initial SSDI claim, you have the right to request reconsideration—a second review of your case by a different examiner. The approval rate at this stage is low. In recent years, Social Security has approved between 10 and 15 percent of reconsideration requests, meaning roughly 85 to 90 percent are denied again. This does not mean reconsideration is worthless; it means you should understand the odds before you decide whether to pursue it or move directly to a hearing before an administrative law judge, where approval rates are significantly higher.

The exact percentage shifts year to year and differs slightly between states. Social Security publishes these numbers in its annual Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) statistics, but the trend has remained consistent: reconsideration is the lowest-approval stage in the appeals process. If your case involves new medical evidence or a clear error in the initial decision, reconsideration may still be worth the time. If your case is unchanged, skipping reconsideration and requesting a hearing is often the faster path to a decision.

Key Takeaways

  • Reconsideration approves roughly 10 to 15 percent of cases, making it the lowest-approval stage in the SSDI appeals process.
  • A different examiner reviews your case, but they use the same medical evidence and rules as the first examiner unless you submit new documents.
  • Reconsideration takes 3 to 6 months, while requesting a hearing before a judge takes longer but has approval rates between 40 and 60 percent.
  • You can skip reconsideration and request a hearing directly if you believe the initial denial was wrong or if you have new medical records to submit.
  • The approval rate depends partly on whether you submit new evidence; cases with additional medical documentation have a slightly higher chance of approval.

Why reconsideration approval rates are so low

Reconsideration uses the same medical evidence and the same rules as your initial claim. The only difference is the examiner. If the first examiner concluded your condition does not meet Social Security's definition of disability, a second examiner reviewing the same records will often reach the same conclusion. Social Security does not reconsider the medical standard itself—only whether the evidence meets it.

The low approval rate also reflects the fact that many people request reconsideration without submitting new medical evidence. If your doctor's records from the initial claim showed no improvement or no new treatment, reconsideration will not change the outcome. The examiner has no new reason to approve what was already denied.

Cases with new medical documentation—recent test results, a new diagnosis, updated treatment records, or a letter from your doctor describing worsening symptoms—have a measurably better chance at reconsideration than cases with no new evidence. Even so, the overall approval rate remains low because most reconsideration requests do not include substantial new material.

When reconsideration makes sense versus requesting a hearing

You have two choices after a denial: request reconsideration, or skip it and request a hearing before an administrative law judge. The choice depends on your evidence and your timeline.

Request reconsideration if: You have new medical evidence—recent test results, a new diagnosis, updated imaging, or a letter from your treating doctor—that was not in your initial file. You also have time to wait 3 to 6 months for a decision. Reconsideration is free and does not require a lawyer.

Request a hearing if: You have no new evidence, or you believe the initial examiner made a clear error in interpreting the evidence you already submitted. Hearings have approval rates between 40 and 60 percent, roughly four times higher than reconsideration. The wait is longer—typically 1 to 2 years depending on your region—but the odds are better. Many people hire a lawyer for a hearing, and the lawyer is paid only if you win.

You can also request reconsideration first, and if it is denied, request a hearing. This path takes longer overall but gives you two chances. Some people choose this route if they are gathering new medical evidence and want to submit it at reconsideration rather than waiting to file for a hearing.

What happens during a reconsideration review

When you request reconsideration, Social Security assigns a new examiner to your case. That examiner reads your file from the beginning: your process, your medical records, your work history, and any statements you submitted. The examiner does not interview you unless they decide they need clarification on a specific point.

The examiner applies the same five-step test that the first examiner used. They check whether you are working above the substantial gainful activity level, whether your condition meets or equals a listed impairment, whether you can do your past work, and whether you can do any other work. If the answer to any of these questions is different from the first decision, the case may be approved. If the answers are the same, the case is denied again.

The entire process is paper-based. You do not attend a hearing or speak to the examiner. If you want to submit new evidence, you mail it or upload it through your Social Security account before the examiner makes a decision. Once the examiner issues a decision, you have 60 days to request a hearing if you disagree.

How to submit new evidence at reconsideration

If you have new medical records, send them to Social Security as soon as you request reconsideration. You can mail them to your local Social Security office, upload them through your online account (if you have one), or bring them in person. Include a cover letter listing what you are submitting and the dates of the records.

New evidence should be recent and relevant to your disability claim. Examples include: test results from the past 3 to 6 months, a letter from your doctor describing your current symptoms and limitations, updated imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans), records from a new specialist, or documentation of a new diagnosis or treatment. Older records that were already in your initial file will not help.

Do not wait until the last moment to submit new evidence. Examiners begin reviewing cases as soon as they are assigned, and if your evidence arrives after the examiner has already written the decision, it will not be considered. Submit new records within the first month of requesting reconsideration if possible.

Approval rates by impairment type

Reconsideration approval rates vary slightly depending on the type of condition you are claiming. Conditions with clear, objective medical evidence—such as cancer, severe arthritis, or heart disease—have slightly higher approval rates than conditions that rely more on subjective reporting, such as chronic pain or mental health conditions. However, even for conditions with strong objective evidence, reconsideration approval rates remain below 20 percent.

The variation is small enough that it should not drive your decision about whether to pursue reconsideration. Your choice should rest on whether you have new evidence and how much time you can afford to wait. The type of condition matters more at the hearing stage, where judges have more discretion to weigh evidence and consider your credibility.

Timeline and what to expect after you request reconsideration

After you request reconsideration, Social Security sends you a notice confirming receipt. You will receive a decision letter within 3 to 6 months, though the wait can be longer in some regions. The decision letter will explain whether you were approved or denied, and it will list the reasons.

If you are approved at reconsideration, Social Security will begin paying your benefits. The payment date depends on when your claim was originally filed and when the approval was issued. You may receive back pay covering the months between your original process and the approval.

If you are denied again, the decision letter will include information about how to request a hearing. You have 60 days from the date on the decision letter to file for a hearing. If you miss this important date, you can still request a hearing, but you will need to explain the delay to a judge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the reconsideration approval rate the same in every state?

Approval rates vary slightly by state, but the range is narrow—typically between 8 and 18 percent. Some states have slightly higher rates due to differences in the population explore and the types of conditions claimed. Your state's specific rate does not predict your individual outcome, but it reflects the overall difficulty of winning at reconsideration.

If I was denied once, am I more likely to be denied at reconsideration?

Not necessarily. A denial at the initial stage does not may provide a denial at reconsideration, especially if you submit new medical evidence. However, if your case is unchanged, the second examiner will likely reach the same conclusion as the first. New evidence is the main factor that can change the outcome.

Should I hire a lawyer for reconsideration?

Most people do not hire a lawyer for reconsideration because the approval rate is low and the process is straightforward. Lawyers typically charge a fee only if you win at a hearing, not at reconsideration. If you believe the initial decision contained a clear legal error, a lawyer can review your file and advise you, but this is not common.

Can I request reconsideration and a hearing at the same time?

No. You must request reconsideration first, wait for a decision, and then request a hearing if you are denied again. You cannot skip reconsideration and go directly to a hearing unless you are requesting reconsideration on a case that was already denied at reconsideration once before.

What if I get new medical evidence after reconsideration is denied?

You can submit new evidence at your hearing before the judge. Judges have more flexibility than examiners to consider evidence that was not available at earlier stages. This is one reason why requesting a hearing can be worthwhile even if reconsideration is denied—you have another opportunity to present your case with updated medical records.