How long reconsideration actually takes
Social Security says it will decide your reconsideration within 60 days, but that important date is rarely met. Most reconsiderations take between three and six months. Some take longer—nine months or a year is not unusual, especially if your case involves medical records from multiple doctors or if Social Security needs to order new medical evidence.
The 60-day target exists on paper, but Social Security's own data shows that the majority of cases miss it. This is not because your case is being ignored. It is because the agency processes reconsiderations in the order they arrive, and the queue is long.
You will not receive a notice telling you the decision is delayed. You will straightforward wait. The only way to know your case is still moving is to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask for a status update using your claim number.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security's stated 60-day timeline for reconsideration decisions is rarely met; three to six months is more typical.
- Delays happen because cases are processed in order of arrival, and the volume of pending reconsiderations is high across most regions.
- Medical evidence that is incomplete, outdated, or held by multiple providers adds weeks or months to the review.
- You can call 1-800-772-1213 with your claim number to ask for a status update, but Social Security cannot speed up the decision.
- If your reconsideration takes longer than nine months, you may be may be able to access to request a hearing before an administrative law judge without waiting for the reconsideration decision.
Why the queue is so long
Social Security's Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state handles reconsiderations. These offices employ disability examiners and medical consultants who review your file, order medical records, and write the decision. The number of staff has not grown with the number of reconsiderations filed.
During certain periods—particularly after policy changes or public awareness campaigns—the number of new reconsiderations filed spikes. The DDS office processes them in the order received, which means a case filed last month waits behind cases filed months earlier. There is no priority queue based on how long you have already waited or how urgent your situation is.
Some states' DDS offices move faster than others. This depends on staffing, the complexity of cases in that region, and how many reconsiderations are pending. You cannot transfer your case to a faster state office.
What happens to your file during those months
When your reconsideration arrives at the DDS office, it goes into a queue. A disability examiner will eventually be assigned to your case. That examiner reviews your original denial letter and your new evidence.
If your medical records are incomplete—for example, if you listed a doctor but Social Security does not have recent treatment notes from that doctor—the examiner will request them. This request goes to the doctor's office, which may take weeks to respond. If the doctor's office does not respond, Social Security may send a second request. This back-and-forth can add one to three months to your timeline.
If the examiner believes the medical evidence is still unclear, Social Security may order a consultative examination (CE)—a medical appointment paid for by Social Security with a doctor chosen by the agency. Scheduling the CE, waiting for the appointment, and then waiting for the report adds another four to eight weeks.
Once all evidence is gathered, a medical consultant reviews it and writes an opinion. The disability examiner then makes the final decision based on that opinion and the medical evidence in your file.
Medical records delays are the biggest factor
The single most common reason reconsiderations take longer than expected is that Social Security cannot obtain your medical records quickly. Doctors' offices are often slow to respond to record requests, especially if they are busy or understaffed.
You can speed this up by obtaining your own records and submitting them with your reconsideration request. If you did not do this the first time, you can send new records to Social Security while your reconsideration is pending. Write your claim number on the envelope and mail it to your state's DDS office. Include a cover letter listing what records you are sending.
If you know which doctors Social Security contacted for your original process, contact those offices now and ask them to send your recent treatment records directly to Social Security. Give them your claim number. Some doctors will do this as a courtesy; others require a signed authorization form from you.
When nine months means you can move forward
If your reconsideration has been pending for more than nine months, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) without waiting for the reconsideration decision to arrive. This is called escalating to the hearing level.
To do this, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you want to request a hearing because your reconsideration has exceeded nine months. They will send you a form to sign. Once Social Security receives the signed form, your case moves out of the DDS queue and into the hearing queue.
The hearing queue is also long—typically 12 to 18 months in most parts of the country—but at least your case is no longer waiting for a reconsideration decision. At a hearing, an ALJ will review your entire file and make a new decision. You can represent yourself or bring a lawyer or representative.
Do not wait passively for nine months. If you are approaching that mark, call Social Security and ask whether you can request the hearing escalation. Some offices will tell you to wait a few more weeks; others will process the request when ready.
What you can do while you wait
Continue treating with your doctors and keep records of all appointments, test results, and treatment. If your condition has worsened or you have started new treatment, this new evidence strengthens your case. You can send it to Social Security at any time while your reconsideration is pending.
Do not assume Social Security has all your medical records. If you have seen a new doctor since your original process, contact that doctor's office and ask them to send records to Social Security. Include your claim number in the request.
Keep a copy of everything you send to Social Security. Write your claim number on every document. If you mail records, use certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
If your financial situation is urgent—for example, if you are facing eviction or cannot afford medication—contact a local legal aid office or disability advocacy organization. Some can request that Social Security expedite your case on hardship grounds, though Social Security rarely grants these requests. It is worth asking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Social Security to make them decide faster?
No. Social Security processes reconsiderations in order of arrival. Calling will not move your case up in the queue. You can call to ask for a status update and to confirm that all your medical records have been received, but the decision timeline cannot be accelerated by you or your representative.
What if Social Security lost my medical records?
If you suspect records were lost, call 1-800-772-1213 and ask the representative to check your file. If records are missing, obtain copies from your doctor and send them again with a cover letter explaining that these are replacements for records previously submitted. Keep proof of mailing.
Should I hire a lawyer while I am waiting for reconsideration?
You do not need a lawyer for reconsideration—it is a paper review, not a hearing. If your reconsideration is denied and you plan to request a hearing, a lawyer or representative becomes more valuable. Many disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they are paid only if you win.
What happens if I get a job while waiting for reconsideration?
Tell Social Security when ready. Work can affect your case, depending on how much you earn and whether you are still disabled. Social Security will not automatically know you are working unless you report it. Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213.
Can I request a hearing instead of waiting for reconsideration?
You can request a hearing if your reconsideration has been pending for more than nine months. You cannot skip reconsideration and go straight to a hearing unless you meet this timeline requirement. If you are close to nine months, ask Social Security whether you are may be able to access to request the escalation.