A federal quality review is a check that Social Security runs on a sample of disability decisions to make sure the right people got benefits and the right people were denied

The Federal Quality Review (FQR) is an audit conducted by Social Security's Office of Quality Review. It examines a random sample of cases — both approvals and denials — to verify that the decision-maker followed the rules correctly, considered all the evidence, and reached a defensible conclusion. The review happens after a decision is made, not before. It does not change your benefits or your case outcome unless a serious error is found.

If your case is selected for FQR, you will not be notified in advance. Social Security reviews the file internally. The process is administrative, not adversarial. You do not attend a hearing or submit new evidence unless Social Security contacts you directly — which is rare. The review typically takes 30 to 60 days from the time your file is pulled.

The FQR exists because Social Security is required by law to monitor the quality of decisions made by Administrative Law Judges (ALJs), the Appeals Council, and the initial claims process. It is a compliance tool, not a second chance to win your case. However, if the review finds that the original decision was legally wrong, Social Security may reopen your case and issue a new decision.

Key Takeaways

  • A federal quality review is an internal Social Security audit of a random sample of disability decisions to check for legal and procedural errors.
  • You will not know your case is being reviewed unless Social Security contacts you, and most reviews are completed without any action on your part.
  • If the review finds a significant error, Social Security may reopen your case and issue a new decision, which could result in a higher benefit amount or a reversal of a denial.
  • The review does not replace your right to appeal; if you disagree with your original decision, you can still file an appeal within the normal timeframe.
  • Your lawyer, if you have one, may be notified if the case is flagged for quality issues, though this is not may provide.

Who Conducts the Review and What They Look For

The Office of Quality Review, a unit within Social Security's Office of Inspector General, selects cases and assigns them to trained reviewers. These reviewers are not the same people who made the original decision. They examine the case file, the medical evidence, the ALJ's written decision (if there was a hearing), and the reasoning used to reach the conclusion.

Reviewers check for several categories of error: whether the ALJ properly evaluated medical evidence, whether the ALJ correctly applied the law, whether the decision is supported by substantial evidence in the record, and whether the ALJ followed procedural rules. They also look for consistency — whether similar cases are being decided the same way across different judges and regions.

The review is not a re-hearing. The reviewer does not call witnesses or take new testimony. They work only with what is already in the file. If they find that the original decision was correct, the case closes and nothing changes. If they find an error that is serious enough to affect the outcome, they flag it for potential reopening.

What Happens If an Error Is Found

When a quality reviewer finds a significant error, the case is referred back to Social Security for possible reopening. A reopening means Social Security will issue a new decision based on the corrected legal standard or additional consideration of the evidence. This can take weeks or months.

If the original decision was a denial and the error favors you, Social Security may approve your claim and award back pay to the date you originally filed. If the original decision was an approval and the error is found to be in your favor (for example, the ALJ underestimated your residual functional capacity), your benefits may increase. If the error is against you, your benefits could be reduced or terminated, though this is less common in FQR findings.

You will be notified by mail if your case is reopened. You will receive a new decision notice explaining the change and any adjustment to your benefit amount. If you disagree with the new decision, you have the right to appeal it through the normal process.

The Difference Between FQR and Your Right to Appeal

A federal quality review is not the same as filing an appeal. An appeal is your right — you can request one within 60 days of receiving a decision you disagree with. An FQR is something Social Security does on its own initiative, and you cannot request one.

If your case is denied and you want to challenge that decision, you should file a Request for Reconsideration or, if you have already had a hearing, a Request for Appeals Council Review. Do not wait for a quality review to happen. The FQR process is slow and uncertain; your appeal rights are faster and give you direct control over the outcome.

However, if your case is selected for FQR and an error is found, that can work in your favor even if you did not appeal. This is one reason why it is important to keep your address current with Social Security — so you receive notice if your case is reopened.

How Often Cases Are Selected and What the Odds Are

Social Security does not publish the exact percentage of cases selected for FQR, but the sample is intentionally small — typically less than 5 percent of all decisions in a given period. The selection is supposed to be random, though Social Security may weight the sample to include more cases from judges or regions where error rates have been historically high.

The odds that your specific case will be selected are low. However, if you have a hearing before an ALJ, your case is more likely to be reviewed than if you received an approval at the initial level. Cases that are approved are reviewed at a lower rate than cases that are denied, because denials carry more scrutiny.

You cannot influence whether your case is selected. The selection happens automatically based on Social Security's sampling methodology. If your case is selected, you will not be told until after the review is complete — and only if an error is found and the case is reopened.

Why Your Lawyer Should Know About FQR

If you have a disability lawyer, they may become aware of an FQR if Social Security contacts them about a case they represented. This is more likely to happen if the review finds an error and the case is being reopened. Your lawyer can then advise you on what the new decision means and whether you should take further action.

Some lawyers track FQR outcomes in their practice to understand which judges have higher error rates and what kinds of errors are most common. This information can be useful when preparing for a hearing — it tells you what issues the judge may have struggled with in the past and what evidence you should emphasize.

However, the FQR process itself is not something your lawyer can control or influence. They cannot request a review, expedite one, or argue your case during the review. Their role is to understand the results if the review leads to a reopening.

What to Do If Your Case Is Reopened After a Quality Review

If you receive notice that your case has been reopened and a new decision is being issued, read the notice carefully. It will explain what error was found and how the new decision differs from the original one. If the new decision is in your favor, you do not need to do anything — your benefits will be adjusted accordingly.

If the new decision is against you or you disagree with it for any reason, you have the right to appeal. You will have 60 days from the date of the new decision notice to file a Request for Appeals Council Review or, depending on the stage of your case, a new appeal at an earlier level. Your lawyer can help you decide whether appealing is worth pursuing.

Keep copies of all notices related to the reopening. These documents become part of your official record and may be important if you appeal or if you need to explain your case to another agency (such as Medicaid or a state vocational rehabilitation program).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a federal quality review of my case?

No. The Federal Quality Review is conducted at Social Security's discretion as part of its internal quality assurance process. You cannot request one. If you disagree with your decision, you should file a formal appeal instead, which gives you direct control over the outcome.

Will a quality review change my benefits?

Only if an error is found that affects the outcome of your case. Most cases that are reviewed are found to be correct, and nothing changes. If an error is found, Social Security will reopen your case and issue a new decision, which may increase, decrease, or reverse your benefits.

How long does a federal quality review take?

The review itself typically takes 30 to 60 days. However, if an error is found and your case is reopened, the process of issuing a new decision can take several additional weeks or months. You will be notified by mail when the review is complete and a new decision is issued.

What if I disagree with the new decision after a quality review?

You have the same appeal rights as you would for any other decision. You can file a Request for Appeals Council Review within 60 days of the new decision notice. Your lawyer can help you decide whether appealing is the right next step.

Does my lawyer get told about a quality review?

Not automatically. Social Security may contact your lawyer if the review finds an error and the case is being reopened, but this is not may provide. If you have a lawyer, ask them to keep you informed about any communications from Social Security regarding your case.