What Reconsideration Means and When You Use It

Reconsideration is the first appeal step after Social Security denies your SSDI claim. You ask Social Security to look at your case again, usually with new medical evidence or information they missed the first time. A different examiner reviews your entire file from the start.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to request reconsideration. If you miss that window, you can still appeal, but you will need to explain the delay to Social Security. The reconsideration process takes about three to five months, though this varies by your local Social Security office's workload.

Reconsideration is not a conversation or a chance to argue your case in person. It is a paper review. Social Security will look at what you submit, compare it to what they already have, and make a new decision based on the written record.

Key Takeaways

  • You must request reconsideration within 60 days of your denial letter, using form SSA-561-U2 or a written letter stating you want to appeal.
  • New medical evidence is the strongest reason to request reconsideration—submit records from doctors, hospitals, or therapists that show your condition is more severe than Social Security found.
  • A different examiner will review your case from scratch, so organize your evidence clearly and include a cover letter explaining what is new or what was missed.
  • The process takes three to five months on average, and Social Security will mail you a new decision letter when they are done.
  • If reconsideration is denied, you can move to the next appeal step, which is a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Step 1: Request Reconsideration Within 60 Days

Your first action is to tell Social Security you want to appeal. Use form SSA-561-U2, titled "Request for Reconsideration," which you can read from ssa.gov or pick up at your local Social Security office. You can also write a straightforward letter that says you want to appeal your denial and include your name, Social Security number, and the date of your denial letter.

Mail your request to the Social Security office that handled your original claim. The address is on your denial letter. Keep a copy for yourself and consider sending it certified mail so you have proof of the date you mailed it. The 60-day clock starts from the date on your denial letter, not the date you received it.

If you are working with a lawyer or representative, they can file the request on your behalf. Either way, Social Security needs to receive it by day 60, so mail it early enough to account for postal delays.

Step 2: Gather New Medical Evidence or Clarify What Was Missed

Reconsideration works best when you submit something Social Security did not see the first time. This is usually new medical records—test results, doctor's notes, hospital discharge summaries, or mental health treatment records from after your original claim was denied. If your condition has worsened since you first applied, those newer records are powerful evidence.

You can also submit records from the original period if Social Security clearly did not have them. For example, if you saw a specialist during your original claim period but those records were never sent to Social Security, submit them now. Include a note explaining what is new and why it matters to your case.

Do not just resubmit the same records Social Security already reviewed. They will likely reach the same conclusion. Instead, focus on evidence that shows your condition is more disabling than the first examiner found, or evidence that fills a gap in the medical record.

Step 3: Organize Your Evidence and Write a Cover Letter

When you send your new evidence, organize it clearly. Number your pages, list what you are sending, and put the most recent and most important records first. A straightforward cover letter helps: explain what is new, why you are sending it, and how it relates to your disability claim.

For example: "I am requesting reconsideration of my SSDI denial dated [date]. I am submitting medical records from Dr. [name] dated [dates] that were not included in my original file. These records show that my [condition] has worsened and now prevents me from working, as described in the attached notes."

If you have a lawyer or representative, they will usually handle this organization. If you are doing it yourself, keep it straightforward and clear. Social Security examiners review hundreds of files; making yours straightforward to read helps them understand your case.

Step 4: Wait for Social Security to Review and Decide

After you submit your request and evidence, Social Security assigns your case to a new examiner. This examiner reads your entire file—your original process, the first decision, your medical records, and anything new you submitted. They do not contact you during this process unless they need clarification on something.

The review typically takes three to five months, but can take longer if your local office is backed up or if Social Security needs to request additional records from your doctors. You will not hear anything during this time. There is no status update to call about; Social Security will contact you only when they have made a decision.

If Social Security needs more information, they will send you a letter asking for it. You will have a important date to respond, usually 10 days. If you miss that important date, they may deny your claim based on what they already have, so respond quickly if you receive such a letter.

Step 5: Receive Your New Decision and Plan Your Next Move

Social Security will mail you a new decision letter. It will either approve your claim or deny it again. If approved, they will tell you your benefit amount and when payments start. If denied, the letter will explain why the examiner still found you are not disabled under Social Security's rules.

If reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days to request the next appeal step: a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This is a different process—you can present evidence and testify, and the judge can ask you questions. Many people who are denied at reconsideration are approved at the hearing level, especially if they have strong medical evidence and a lawyer.

Read your new decision letter carefully. It will explain what evidence Social Security reviewed and why they did or did not find you disabled. If you disagree, note the specific reasons so you can address them in your next appeal.

What Helps Your Reconsideration Succeed

The strongest reconsideration cases include new medical evidence that clearly shows you cannot work. This means recent records from doctors who have treated you, not old records or records from before your claim. Test results, imaging, therapy notes, and hospitalization records are all useful.

A written statement from your doctor explaining how your condition limits your ability to work is also valuable. The statement should be specific: not "the patient is disabled," but "the patient cannot stand for more than 30 minutes without severe pain" or "the patient has memory problems that prevent her from following multi-step instructions."

If you have a lawyer, they will know what evidence matters most and how to present it. If you are handling this alone, focus on medical records from the time period Social Security is reviewing, and make sure those records describe your symptoms and limitations in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request reconsideration more than once?

No. You get one reconsideration. If it is denied, your next step is a hearing before an administrative law judge. You cannot ask for a second reconsideration of the same claim.

What if I miss the 60-day important date to request reconsideration?

You can still appeal, but you will need to explain to Social Security why you missed the important date. They may grant you an extension if you have a good reason—for example, if you did not receive the denial letter or if you were hospitalized. Write a letter explaining the delay and request reconsideration anyway; Social Security will decide whether to accept it.

Do I have to go to an office in person for reconsideration?

No. Reconsideration is a paper review only. You do not meet with anyone or testify. You submit your request and evidence by mail, and Social Security mails you their decision.

How much does reconsideration cost?

There is no fee to request reconsideration. If you hire a lawyer to help, they typically charge a fee only if you win your case, and Social Security limits what they can charge.

What if my doctor will not send records to Social Security?

You can request your own medical records from your doctor's office and send them to Social Security yourself. Most offices will provide copies for a small fee. Include a note explaining that these are your records and you are submitting them as part of your appeal.