Social Security Disability: Reconsideration Appeal

Social Security Disability Request for Reconsideration

If the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your initial application for disability, you may be able to appeal. The appeal of an initial denial is known as a Request for Reconsideration. At the reconsideration level, SSA will once again review your file. SSA will request updated medical records and may send you for a visit with one of their contract doctors for an evaluation. SSA may also ask you to complete certain questionnaires to better understand your activities of daily living. 

SSA will again review the evidence – from the initial application and any new evidence obtained at the reconsideration level – and make a new determination of disability and mail it to you. 

How to File an Appeal with the Social Security Administration

If you were denied SSDI or SSI for medical reasons, you can file an appeal online with SSA. You can also file a Form SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration, to appeal a medical denial. If you submit the Form SSA-561, you will also need to submit Form SSA-3441, Disability Report – Appeal, and Form SSA-827, Authorization to Disclose information to the Social Security Administration, to complete the appeal paperwork.  

If you were denied for a non-medical reason, you can use the Form SSA-561 to file a request for reconsideration. Non-medical disability denials include being denied SSDI benefits because you did not work enough in recent years or being denied SSI benefits because your assets exceed the allowable thresholds. 

If you use the Form SSA-561, you should send the completed form (with any additional documentation) to your local Social Security office. It is important to note that you must file the request for reconsideration within 60 days of the date of the initial denial. 

What to Include in Your Social Security Disability Reconsideration Appeal

When you file the request for reconsideration, you will need to provide SSA with updated information regarding your medical treatment. This includes any new doctors you have seen, updated medical appointments for your ongoing doctors, and any new hospitalizations or clinic visits. If you had any surgery or imaging (x-rays, CTs, MRIs) after you last updated SSA with your medical treatment information, you will want to provide that as well. 

If you have any new conditions, you should also include that in your reconsideration appeal. Additionally, if you review your application and realize you inadvertently left off a condition that you take medication or see doctors for, you will want to add that to the reconsideration appeal. 

What Are the Chances of Success?

Unfortunately, many cases are again denied at the reconsideration level. In 2019, only 12.8% of cases were approved at the reconsideration level. You can contact an attorney for assistance with filing your request for reconsideration.