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A Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) denial can leave you feeling hopeless. You may think a denial means the Social Security Administration (SSA) didn’t believe you or that the case is over.
What a denial really means is the SSA didn’t have enough information to approve you. But you can strengthen your claim and appeal.
This article explains the reconsideration appeal, your first opportunity to challenge a denial. It covers the SSDI reconsideration timeline and success rate, including how long a decision can take and what the approval rate can tell you.
Learn more about the first level of SSDI appeal below.
The first step in the SSDI process is your initial application. The SSA and state Disability Determination Services review the claim to see if you meet eligibility rules and the SSA’s definition of disability.
If your claim is denied, the next step is a reconsideration appeal. While there are more levels of appeal, including a hearing with a judge, an Appeals Council review, and possibly even federal court, this article focuses on the initial application and reconsideration.
It usually takes about 5 to 8 months for the SSA and DDS to decide your case. That timeline depends on examiners’ workload, how long it takes to get your medical records, and delays caused by common mistakes.
The SSA determines if you meet the non-medical part of SSDI eligibility, which includes work credits and current earnings. DDS gathers medical records and reviews the work and medical history in your file. DDS may schedule a consultative exam (CE) if your file doesn’t have the right or most current records. The exam is usually with a provider in the SSA’s network, and the SSA pays for it.
During this stage, you may get letters asking for more details like confirming work history, medical sources, or contact information. ou may also get a consultative examination notice with a date, time, location, and instructions on what to bring.
Reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by a different DDS examiner who did not make the first decision. It’s the first chance to fix issues and add missing information.
SSA denials are either technical or medical. Technical denials stem from issues like not enough work credits or earning too much. A medical denial means your claim lacked the medical evidence needed to show your limitations clearly.
For technical denials, you may be able to correct information about earnings or work history. For medical denials, you need stronger medical evidence and clearer documentation of how your symptoms limit your ability to work and function daily.
How long your reconsideration decision takes depends on several factors, including the workload of the DDS examiner, if DDS is requesting new records, and if they need to follow up with you.
You have up to 60 days to file for reconsideration (plus five business days for mail). After that, expect the decision to take four to seven months, although some reconsiderations take nine months.
The estimated time for a decision you see in your online Social Security account doesn’t reflect delays like a long wait for a medical record.
A reconsideration decision can take longer than expected despite your best efforts. The SSA and DDS have high caseloads. Likewise, it can take time for DDS to get medical records or schedule a CE for you.
Common reasons for delays include:
To keep the process moving, keep your address and phone number current, respond to mail quickly, and send new records or provider information as soon as you get them.
If your health limitations make it hard to complete a task or meet a deadline, ask a trusted person for help with paperwork and follow-through.
Need to reduce your stress and burden? Advocate’s disability specialists can help.
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Get EvaluationWhen people look up the SSDI reconsideration timeline and success rate, they usually want two answers: how long the wait is and how often claims are approved. Reconsideration approvals are generally low compared to later appeals, and 10-15% of applicants are approved at this stage.
The number of approvals at reconsideration is an average, not a prediction of your claim’s outcome. A statistic does not reflect your records, your work history, or the details in your file. This is your first chance to correct mistakes, provide stronger evidence, and connect the evidence to your ability to function day-to-day.
Average approval odds and wait times can help you prepare emotionally for more than one outcome. Don’t expect a denial, but if your claim is denied again, you can request a hearing with a judge.
The SSA must receive your request for reconsideration within the 65 days of your denial date, not the day you get the notice. That’s 60 days plus five business days for the time it took for the SSA notice to arrive by mail. You can file your request online, by mail, or in person.
Keep copies of your request and anything else you send, noting the day you send it. If you file online, save the confirmation. If you mail it, get a mail receipt.
At reconsideration, you want to provide evidence and statements that show examiners why you cannot work at a substantial level. Look at the denial reason on your denial notice to understand the gaps in your record.
You also need to share any new treatment or work information including:
If you submit records, label them with the provider’s name and date range. If you write a statement, focus on your limitations and daily function, don’t just list conditions.
A few common mistakes can slow a case down. Here’s how to avoid them.
If your health makes it hard to stay organized and meet deadlines, get help from a trusted person or disability representative. Keeping a simple timeline, calendar, and dedicated SSDI folders can also help reduce stress and confusion.
If you’re approved at reconsideration, you get an award notice explaining the benefit amount and when payments start.
Your back pay is tied to your established onset date, which is the date the SSA says your disability started under its rules. To calculate your back pay timing, look for that date on your notice.
If something looks wrong on your award notice, talk to the SSA.
If you are denied at reconsideration, the next step is to request a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Hearings provide an opportunity for you to tell your story and answer the judge’s questions.
Each part of the SSDI process can be difficult if you’re already in pain or struggling mentally. Advocate’s disability specialists can help. We know what the SSA and DDS need for an approval.
Your disability representative can:
Our help costs nothing upfront and you only pay if you win. If you win, the SSA pays our fee from your back pay. You never have to make a payment.
Check your SSDI eligibility in a few minutes.
No cost to start.
Talk with our team about your situation. We'll walk you through what comes next.
Get EvaluationSee what documents you need. We'll help you get everything in place.
Get EvaluationNot sure what that SSA letter means? We can review it with you.
Get EvaluationGet support from a team that handles the paperwork and follows through.
Get EvaluationIt depends on your case and the workload at your local office. It usually takes at least three months to get a reconsideration decision.
It can be. The initial decision takes five to eight months. A reconsideration decision typically takes four to seven months (but can take longer).
New evidence is not required in every case, yet updates help when the initial file is thin or outdated. Focus on records that show current symptoms and how they limit your ability to work.
Yes, but work can affect eligibility. Report your work activity and keep records of pay and hours.
Even if you had a consultative exam before, you could have another during reconsideration.
You may get updates on the status of your reconsideration by mail. You can also check your Social Security account online or call the SSA.
If you have good cause for missing the appeal deadline, like you were in the hospital, you could get an extension to file for reconsideration. If you don’t have a good reason, you will likely have to apply again.
About 70% of initial applications are denied, but many are approved on appeal. You have to file for reconsideration before getting a hearing, so if you believe you meet the SSA’s definition of disability, keep trying.
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