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If your Social Security Disability Insurance claim was denied and you have filed for reconsideration — or are about to — you are at one of the most important stages of the appeals process. Reconsideration is your first formal appeal and your opportunity to submit new evidence, correct errors from your initial application, and build a stronger case before an Administrative Law Judge hearing. National Disability connects SSDI applicants across all 50 states with experienced disability attorneys who handle every stage of reconsideration and beyond. All services are provided on a no-win, no-fee basis. You pay nothing unless your claim is approved.
⚠ You Have 60 Days to File
You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter — plus 5 days for mailing — to request reconsideration. Missing this deadline typically means starting the entire process over and losing back pay from your original application date. If you have received a denial, act immediately.
Reconsideration is the first stage of the SSDI appeals process. When you request reconsideration, a different SSA examiner — someone who was not involved in your original decision — reviews your entire file along with any new evidence you submit. The examiner makes an independent determination on whether your claim should be approved.
A different Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner reviews your claim — not the same person who denied your original application. This examiner looks at all the evidence in your file plus any new medical records, statements, or documentation you submit with your reconsideration request.
Reconsideration is your opportunity to address the specific reason your claim was denied. You can submit updated medical records, new physician statements, functional capacity evaluations, and any other evidence that strengthens your case. The stronger your submission, the better your chances — even though most reconsiderations are ultimately denied.
Statistically, most SSDI reconsiderations result in another denial. This is not because the claims are invalid — it is because the DDS examiner is using the same standards as the original decision. The ALJ hearing stage that follows has significantly higher approval rates, which is why it is critical to begin preparing for that stage while your reconsideration is pending.
The key to a strong reconsideration is addressing the specific reason your claim was denied. Depending on why your claim failed, you should consider submitting:
Any treatment records, test results, or physician notes from after your original application was filed. Updated records showing the progression or persistence of your condition strengthen your claim significantly.
A detailed statement from your treating physician — or a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment — documenting exactly how your condition limits your ability to work. Vague statements are not enough; specificity matters.
Records from specialists, therapists, or other treating providers not included in your original claim. SSA gives significant weight to specialist opinions, particularly from doctors who have treated you over an extended period.
If your claim involves a mental health condition, detailed records from psychiatrists, psychologists, or therapists documenting your symptoms, treatment history, and functional limitations are essential.
An objective assessment of your physical or mental ability to perform work-related activities — including how long you can sit, stand, walk, lift, concentrate, and maintain attendance — can address SSA determinations that you can still perform some form of work.
If your denial involved a work credits issue, documentation clarifying your employment history and Social Security earnings record may resolve the problem. Our team can help identify and address work history discrepancies.
Reconsideration is stage one of four. Understanding what comes next helps you prepare strategically rather than simply waiting for each decision.
A different DDS examiner reviews your file with new evidence. Must be filed within 60 days of denial. Most reconsiderations are denied — but filing is required to preserve your right to an ALJ hearing.
You present your case before an Administrative Law Judge. Approval rates are significantly higher at this stage. This is where most successful SSDI appeals are won — and where legal representation makes the biggest difference.
If the ALJ denies your claim, the Appeals Council may review the decision, send it back to an ALJ, or deny review. This stage focuses on legal arguments and errors in the ALJ’s decision.
If all administrative appeals are exhausted, you may file a civil action in federal district court challenging the SSA’s decision. This stage requires experienced legal representation and focuses on whether the SSA applied the law correctly.
Because most reconsiderations are denied, the smartest strategy is to treat reconsideration as step one of a two-step process — and begin building your ALJ case at the same time. This means:
Our attorneys work with you from reconsideration through ALJ hearing — building the strongest possible case at every stage rather than starting over after each denial.
If your SSDI claim is ultimately approved on appeal, you may be entitled to back pay dating to your original application date — or in some cases up to 12 months before you applied, depending on your established onset date. The longer your case has been pending, the more back pay you may be owed. Our attorneys account for back pay in every case and work to maximize what you are owed from the earliest possible date.
National Disability connects SSDI applicants with experienced disability attorneys who handle every stage of reconsideration and the full appeals process across all 50 states:
All services are provided on a no-win, no-fee basis. You pay nothing unless your claim is approved.
SSDI reconsideration typically takes 3 to 6 months, though timelines vary by state and SSA office workload. Because most reconsiderations are denied, it is important to use this time productively — gathering stronger medical evidence and preparing for the ALJ hearing stage rather than simply waiting for a decision.
If your reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is the stage where most successful SSDI appeals are won. You should request the ALJ hearing immediately after receiving your reconsideration denial and ensure you have experienced legal representation in place before your hearing date is set.
Yes — and you should. Reconsideration is your first opportunity to address the specific reason your claim was denied with new medical records, physician statements, functional assessments, or other documentation. Submitting nothing new and simply requesting reconsideration rarely changes the outcome. The strength of your new evidence is the most important factor in reconsideration success.
Getting an attorney involved at the reconsideration stage — rather than waiting for the ALJ hearing — gives your case the best chance at every level. An attorney can identify exactly what evidence is missing, gather the right documentation, and begin building the ALJ case strategy at the same time. Waiting until after reconsideration is denied means starting that preparation later and under more time pressure.
Yes. If your SSDI claim is approved at any stage of appeal, you are entitled to back pay dating to your original application date — or up to 12 months before you applied, depending on your established onset date. The longer your case has been pending, the more back pay you may be owed. Our attorneys work to maximize your back pay entitlement in every case.
The reconsideration process is similar for both programs — a different examiner reviews your file with new evidence, and the 60-day deadline applies to both. The key difference is that SSDI reconsideration focuses entirely on medical and work credit eligibility, while SSI reconsideration may also involve financial eligibility issues including income and asset limits. Our team handles both.
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