Last Updated: 9/30/2026
If your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application is denied, reconsideration is the first level of the SSDI appeals process.
Reconsideration is different from asking the same person to look at the claim again. A different reviewer examines your claim, including the evidence considered in the initial decision and any additional evidence submitted during reconsideration.
The SSDI appeals process can include several levels:
- After an initial denial, the claim usually goes to reconsideration.
- If you’re denied at reconsideration, the next level is a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).
- Further levels can include Appeals Council review and, when applicable, review in federal district court.
Understanding where reconsideration fits into this process can help clarify what an initial denial means and what options are available.
How does reconsideration differ from my initial SSDI decision?
Reconsideration is a new review of your claim that includes the evidence already in the record as well as new evidence. This can include updated medical records, new test results or other evidence submitted after the initial decision.
An SSDI advocate like Allsup can help with reconsideration. We can act on your behalf in most Social Security Administration (SSA) matters and are notified of any decisions made about your case. Our approval rate is double the national average for reconsideration appeals.
What does an SSDI denial notice tell me?
Your denial notice explains why SSA did not approve your initial claim. It also explains your right to appeal the decision and provides information about how to request the next level of review.
The reason for the denial can help identify the issues that need to be addressed during reconsideration. For example, SSA may have determined that your medical condition was not severe enough to meet its disability requirements, that your limitations were not expected to last long enough or that you could perform certain types of work despite your condition.
Your circumstances also may have changed since you submitted your initial application. Medical records may contain new information, a test may have provided additional evidence or your healthcare provider may have documented limitations that were not included in the original claim.
How long do I have to request reconsideration after an SSDI denial?
The general deadline for requesting reconsideration is 60 days after you receive the denial notice.
A missed deadline does not necessarily mean that an appeal is impossible. SSA rules allow for an extension when there is good cause for filing late. A request for an extension generally includes an explanation of the circumstances that prevented the appeal from being filed on time.
Because there is a limited time to appeal an SSDI denial, the denial notice is important for determining when the appeal period begins and when the reconsideration request is due.
What evidence can make my reconsideration claim stronger?
Additional evidence can include updated medical records, treatment notes, diagnostic tests, medication changes, healthcare provider statements and documentation describing functional limitations.
Current information can be particularly relevant when your condition or treatment has changed since the initial decision. For example, a new examination may provide information about symptoms that were not previously documented, or treatment records may show how a condition has continued to affect your functioning.
Evidence can also provide information about limitations involving:
- Physical activities.
- Social functioning.
- The ability to maintain a regular work schedule.
A diagnosis by itself does not describe the full effect a condition has on your ability to work. Medical documentation that explains functional limitations can provide additional context for the disability determination.
How can I address the reasons SSA denied my original SSDI claim?
Understanding why your initial claim was denied can help you identify what additional evidence would be valuable.
The denial may identify medical or functional issues that affected the decision. Reviewing those issues can show where the existing record may have been incomplete, outdated or missing information. New evidence may then provide additional information about the same issue.
For example, there is a difference between evidence establishing that you have a particular medical condition and evidence describing how that condition affects your ability to function. Both types of information can be relevant, but they answer different questions.
Changes in symptoms, treatment or functional limitations may also become relevant during reconsideration. Medical documentation can show how your condition has progressed or how treatment has affected your functioning.
At Allsup, our experts understand how to explain and document the impact your disability has on your life and ability to work. We’ve won more than 170,000 appeals.
What happens if my SSDI claim is denied again at reconsideration?
If you are denied at reconsideration, you can move to the next appeal level: an ALJ hearing. The important thing is not to give up. About 76 percent of Allsup customers are approved at the hearing level, compared to the national average of 50 percent.
Hearings often provide one of the strongest chances for approval, especially when you can clearly demonstrate how your condition prevents you from working.
How can an experienced disability representative help me?
A disability representative like Allsup can play an important role in the SSDI appeals process, and 74 percent of claimants go into reconsideration with a representative. Allsup can assist with understanding the reason for denial, tracking appeal deadlines, completing forms correctly and organizing information for your reconsideration.
Do not let your SSDI denial stop you from claiming the benefits you deserve. Allsup is here to help. We specialize in SSDI claims and our representatives have accumulated decades of experience dealing with SSA and the complex SSDI appeals process.
Research from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that claimants with representatives were approved for benefits at a rate nearly three times higher than those without representatives.
