What Reconsideration Is and Why It Matters
Reconsideration is your second chance to present your case to Social Security after an initial denial. When Social Security denies your SSDI claim, you have 60 days to ask for reconsideration—a free review by a different examiner who will look at your medical evidence and work history from scratch. This is not a conversation or a chance to argue; it is a paper review. The examiner reads your file, your doctors' records, and any new evidence you submit, then makes a new decision.
Most people lose at reconsideration because they submit the same evidence that failed the first time. The examiner is not looking for a reason to say yes; they are looking for medical proof that your condition prevents you from working at any job in the national economy. If your file does not contain that proof, reconsideration will fail. If you add strong new medical evidence—recent test results, a detailed statement from your treating doctor, or records from a specialist—your chances improve significantly.
Reconsideration is also your final note to build your file before a hearing. If you win at reconsideration, you are done. If you lose, you move to a hearing before an administrative law judge, where you can testify and have a representative. Most people who win SSDI do so at the hearing stage, not before. But reconsideration is where you gather the evidence that will matter there.
Key Takeaways
- You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration, and you must do this in writing or in person at your local Social Security office.
- Reconsideration is a paper review by a new examiner; Social Security will not call you or ask you questions unless they need clarification on medical records.
- New medical evidence is the only thing that changes the outcome—the same records that led to denial will likely lead to denial again.
- Your treating doctor's statement about what you can and cannot do is more persuasive than your own description of your limitations.
- If you lose reconsideration, you have 60 days to request a hearing before an administrative law judge, where you can present your case in person.
How to Request Reconsideration Within the 60-Day Window
The 60-day clock starts on the date printed on your denial letter, not the date you received it. If you miss this important date, you lose the right to reconsideration and must wait six months before you can file a new claim. Check your denial letter now; if you are within 60 days, move forward when ready.
You can request reconsideration in three ways: by mail, in person at your local Social Security office, or online through your my Social Security account if you have one. The fastest and clearest method is in person. Go to your local office with your denial letter and ask to file a Request for Reconsideration (form SSA-561-U2). The staff will date-stamp it and give you a receipt. Keep that receipt; it proves you filed on time.
If you mail your request, send it to the address on your denial letter and use certified mail with return receipt. Write a straightforward cover letter: "I am requesting reconsideration of my SSDI claim, claim number [your number], denied on [date]. I am enclosing new medical evidence." Do not argue or explain your condition in the letter. Let the medical records speak.
Gathering Medical Evidence That Changes the Outcome
The examiner at reconsideration will ask: Does this person have a severe medical condition that prevents them from doing any job? The answer must come from medical records, not from you. Social Security weighs evidence in this order: recent test results and imaging (highest weight), statements from treating doctors who know you well, statements from specialists, statements from non-medical sources like family or employers (lowest weight).
Before you request reconsideration, schedule appointments with your doctors and ask them to document your current condition. If you have not seen a doctor in months, that gap will hurt you. Social Security assumes that if you are not seeking treatment, your condition may not be as serious as you claim. Get recent records. If you have had imaging, lab work, or a specialist evaluation in the past six months, request those records now and include them in your reconsideration package.
Ask your treating doctor—the one who knows you best and sees you regularly—to write a statement addressing these points: What is your diagnosis? What are the objective findings (test results, imaging, physical exam)? What are this person's functional limitations (can they sit for eight hours, lift more than 10 pounds, concentrate on a task, remember instructions)? How do these limitations affect their ability to work? A detailed, specific statement from a doctor who has treated you for months or years carries far more weight than a generic letter.
If you cannot afford to pay for records or a doctor's statement, ask the doctor's office if they will waive the fee or reduce it. Many will. If you have a representative, they may have relationships with doctors who will provide statements at no cost. If you cannot get new medical evidence, reconsideration will likely fail, and you should prepare for a hearing instead.
What to Include in Your Reconsideration Package
Organize your submission clearly. Include a cover letter (one page), your denial letter, and all new medical evidence in order by date (oldest first). If you have a lot of records, include a one-page index listing each document and its date. This makes the examiner's job easier and shows you are serious.
Do not include evidence that was already in your file at the time of the initial denial. Social Security has that. Include only new records: recent doctor visits, test results from the past few months, a new statement from your treating doctor, records from a specialist you saw after you filed. If you have a statement from an employer about your work limitations or absences, include that. If you have been hospitalized or had emergency room visits since your denial, include those records.
Do not write a long narrative about your condition. Do not list your symptoms. Do not explain why you think you are disabled. The examiner does not want your story; they want medical facts. Let the doctors' records and statements carry the case.
The Timeline and What Happens After You Submit
After you submit your reconsideration request, Social Security will send you a notice saying they received it. This usually arrives within two weeks. Keep this notice; it confirms your filing date. The examiner will then obtain your medical records from your doctors and review everything in your file.
The review process typically takes 3 to 6 months, though it can take longer if Social Security needs to request additional records from your doctors. You will not hear from them during this time unless they need clarification. Do not call to check on your case; it will not speed things up. If your doctors have not yet sent records, you can call them and ask them to send them to Social Security quickly.
When the examiner finishes, Social Security will mail you a new decision letter. If you win, the letter will explain your approval and when benefits begin. If you lose, the letter will explain the reason and tell you that you have 60 days to request a hearing. Read the reason carefully; it will tell you what evidence was missing or unconvincing, and that information will guide what you present at the hearing.
Common Reasons Reconsideration Fails and How to Avoid Them
Reconsideration fails most often because the new evidence is not strong enough or because there is no new evidence at all. If your initial denial said "your condition is not severe enough" or "you can still do your past work," submitting the same medical records will not change that. You need recent records showing your condition has worsened, or a doctor's statement explaining why your condition prevents you from working.
Reconsideration also fails when the medical evidence does not address functional limitations. A diagnosis alone is not enough. Social Security needs to know: Can you sit for eight hours? Can you stand for two hours? Can you lift 10 pounds? Can you concentrate? Can you follow instructions? Can you get along with coworkers? If your doctor's statement does not answer these questions, ask them to provide a more detailed statement before you submit.
Another common failure is submitting records from doctors you saw only once or twice. Social Security gives more weight to treating doctors—people who have seen you multiple times over months or years. If you have a long-term relationship with a doctor, their statement matters more than a one-time evaluation from a specialist. If you only have records from emergency room visits or urgent care, that is weaker evidence than records from a regular doctor.
When to Hire a Representative Before Reconsideration
You do not need a representative to request reconsideration. You can do it yourself. But a representative—a lawyer or non-lawyer advocate—can help you gather medical evidence, organize your file, and write a cover letter that highlights the strongest parts of your case. If you lose reconsideration, you will almost certainly need a representative for the hearing, because hearings are more complex and most people who win have representation.
If you hire a representative before reconsideration, they work for free at this stage. They only get paid if you win—either at reconsideration or at a later stage. The fee is 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from the date you filed), up to a maximum of $7,200. This is set by law. If you cannot afford to hire someone upfront, wait until after you lose reconsideration and hire them before the hearing. By then, your file will be stronger because you will know exactly what evidence the examiner said was missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss the 60-day important date for reconsideration?
If you miss the important date, you cannot request reconsideration. You must wait six months from the date of your denial, then file a new claim. This resets your timeline and delays your benefits. If you are close to the important date, go to your local Social Security office when ready and request reconsideration in person. They will date-stamp it and confirm you filed on time.
Can Social Security approve my case at reconsideration without a hearing?
Yes. If your new medical evidence is strong enough, the examiner will approve your case and you will receive a decision letter in the mail. You will not need a hearing. This happens in a smaller percentage of cases, but it does happen. The stronger your medical evidence, the better your chances.
Should I submit a written statement about my condition at reconsideration?
No. Your statement about your own condition carries very little weight. Social Security wants medical evidence from doctors. If you feel you need to explain something, keep it to one or two sentences in your cover letter. Let the doctors' records and statements do the work.
What if my doctor will not write a statement for reconsideration?
Ask why. If they say they do not have time, offer to pay them or ask if a nurse or physician assistant can write it. If they refuse, ask them to at least send recent medical records showing your visits and their findings. Records alone are weaker than a statement, but they are better than nothing. If your doctor will not cooperate, consider seeing a different doctor who will document your condition thoroughly.
Can I add new information about my work history at reconsideration?
Yes, but only if it is relevant to whether you can work now. New information about past jobs or earnings does not usually change the outcome. What matters is whether your current medical condition prevents you from working. Focus on medical evidence, not work history.