Reconsideration typically takes three to six months, but the clock starts only after SSA receives your complete file

A reconsideration is SSA's first level of appeal after your initial SSDI claim is denied. The agency does not give you a fixed important date — the three to six month range is what most people experience, but some cases move faster and others take longer. The wait depends on how busy your local SSA office is, whether your medical evidence is complete, and whether SSA needs to order new medical records on your behalf.

The timer does not start when you request reconsideration. It starts when SSA has your signed appeal form, your original claim file, and any new medical evidence you are submitting. If you mail your appeal without including required documents, SSA will contact you to ask for them — and that delay counts toward your total wait time.

During reconsideration, a different SSA examiner reviews your case from the beginning. They look at the same medical evidence the first examiner saw, plus anything new you submitted. They do not hold a hearing or interview you unless they need clarification on something specific. Most reconsiderations are decided on paper alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Reconsideration decisions usually arrive three to six months after SSA receives your complete appeal file, though some cases are decided faster or take longer depending on office workload.
  • The wait time clock starts only when you submit your signed appeal form (SSA-561-U2 or SSA-561-U3) along with any new medical records or statements you want considered.
  • A different examiner reviews your case, but they typically work from paper records only — no hearing or interview happens at the reconsideration stage unless SSA contacts you for more information.
  • If you do not hear back within six months, you can contact your local SSA office to ask for a status update, though this does not speed up the decision.

What Happens to Your Case During Reconsideration

When you request reconsideration, SSA sends your file to a new examiner — someone who did not work on your initial denial. That examiner orders your medical records from the doctors and hospitals you listed, just as the first examiner did. If you submitted new medical evidence with your appeal (test results, treatment notes, a letter from your doctor), the new examiner reviews that too.

The examiner compares your medical condition against the Social Security Listing of Impairments — a detailed set of medical criteria for each disability. If your condition meets or equals a listing, you are approved. If it does not, SSA looks at your age, work history, and education to decide whether you can do any other work. This is called a residual functional capacity assessment.

Most reconsiderations are decided without any contact from SSA. You straightforward wait for a decision letter in the mail. However, if the examiner needs clarification — for example, if your medical records do not clearly describe your symptoms or limitations — SSA may call or mail you a request for more information. Responding quickly to these requests can shorten your overall wait time.

Why Some Reconsiderations Take Longer Than Others

The three to six month estimate assumes SSA can obtain your medical records without delay. In reality, delays happen at several points. If you saw a doctor at a large hospital system or a clinic that processes records slowly, SSA may wait weeks just to receive the files. If you saw multiple doctors, the wait multiplies.

Office workload is another major factor. SSA field offices and Disability information Services (DDS) offices — the state agencies that actually decide reconsiderations — vary widely in how many cases they handle. A rural office might process your case in two months. A busy urban office might take six months or longer. There is no way to predict this in advance.

If you submit new medical evidence with your appeal, SSA still has to order records from your doctors to verify what you submitted. They do not straightforward take your word for it. This verification step adds time. Conversely, if you submit nothing new and SSA already has all your old records on file, the decision may come faster — though not necessarily, because the examiner still has to review everything carefully.

How to Track Your Reconsideration Status

SSA does not automatically send you status updates. You have to ask. After about four to six weeks, you can call your local Social Security office and ask whether your reconsideration has been assigned to an examiner yet. After three months, you can ask whether the examiner is still waiting for medical records or whether they have begun their review.

You can also create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. Once you log in, you can see the status of your claim — though the online status is often less detailed than what you get by calling. The online system may show "pending" for weeks without telling you whether SSA is still gathering records or actively reviewing your case.

If you have been waiting longer than six months and SSA cannot tell you why, you have the right to move forward to the next level of appeal — a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You do not have to wait for reconsideration to finish. However, most people do wait, because the ALJ hearing process takes even longer (typically nine months to two years).

What to Do While You Wait for a Decision

If you are not receiving any income while your reconsideration is pending, you may be able to get help from other programs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate program that pays cash to people with disabilities who have very low income and few assets. You can explore for SSI while your SSDI reconsideration is ongoing — they are separate decisions. Some people are denied SSDI but approved for SSI, or vice versa.

You can also explore work incentives that let you earn money without losing your benefits once you are approved. Programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) let you set aside income and resources for work-related costs. These programs do not affect your current reconsideration, but understanding them now means you will be ready if your appeal succeeds.

Keep all your medical appointments and treatment records during the wait. If you are seeing a new doctor or starting a new treatment, make sure SSA knows about it. You can submit updated medical records to SSA at any time before your reconsideration decision is final. New evidence can only help your case.

What Happens After Reconsideration: Approval or Denial

If your reconsideration is approved, SSA sends you a notice explaining the decision and telling you when your benefits start. SSDI benefits have a five-month waiting period, which means you do not receive a check for the first five months after your onset date (the date SSA determines your disability began). If your onset date was more than five months ago, your first check arrives within two to three weeks of approval.

If your reconsideration is denied, you receive a notice explaining why and telling you that you have 60 days to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is your second level of appeal. Many people who are denied at reconsideration are approved at the hearing stage, especially if they have new medical evidence or legal representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I speed up my reconsideration by calling SSA repeatedly?

No. Calling SSA does not move your case forward in the queue. However, calling to ask for a status update after three months is reasonable and can tell you whether SSA is still waiting for medical records or has begun the review. If records are delayed, you can contact your doctor's office and ask them to send the records directly to SSA.

What if I get new medical evidence after I submit my reconsideration request?

You can submit it anytime before the decision is final. Mail it to the address on your reconsideration notice or bring it to your local SSA office in person. Include a cover letter explaining what the new evidence is and why it matters. SSA will add it to your file and the examiner will review it.

Do I have to wait for reconsideration to finish before I can request a hearing?

No. If you have been waiting longer than six months, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge without waiting for reconsideration to close. However, most people do wait, because the hearing process takes nine months to two years. There is no advantage to jumping ahead unless reconsideration is clearly stalled.

What if SSA loses my reconsideration request?

This is rare but possible. If you mailed your appeal and do not hear back within seven months, contact your local SSA office and ask them to search for your file. Bring a copy of your original denial notice and any proof you mailed the appeal (a receipt or photocopy). If SSA cannot find it, you can request reconsideration again.

Does reconsideration take longer if I hire a lawyer?

No. The timeline is the same whether you represent yourself or have a lawyer. However, a lawyer can help you gather medical evidence, respond to SSA requests quickly, and prepare for the next appeal if reconsideration is denied. Many disability lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a fee only if you win.