In short: This guide explains what is disability reconsideration in plain English, using current 2026 SSA figures and the official rules — so you can understand what is disability reconsideration and decide what to do next.
What is disability reconsideration is one of the first questions people ask after opening a denial letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA). If that letter is sitting in front of you right now, take a breath. A denial at the first step is common, and it is not the end of your claim.
Reconsideration is the first level of appeal. It means a new person at your state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) office looks at your file again, including any new medical records you send. You have 60 days from the date on your denial notice to ask for it. Understanding what is disability reconsideration helps you use that window well instead of starting over from zero.
What is disability reconsideration, in plain English
Reconsideration is a full fresh review of your claim. A different examiner and a different medical consultant at DDS look at everything again. DDS is the state agency that makes medical decisions for the SSA. The people who denied you the first time do not decide your reconsideration.
This step applies to both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is based on your work history, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is based on financial need. However, most reconsideration requests are denied. National SSA data has long shown roughly 13 to 15 out of every 100 reconsideration claims are approved. That number can feel discouraging.
Here is the honest reason it still matters. In most cases, you cannot reach a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) without finishing this step first. Approval odds rise sharply at the hearing level. So when people ask what is disability reconsideration, the plain answer is: it is the required door you walk through to get to the judge.
Deadlines, figures, and what the SSA is measuring
The SSA looks at whether you can do substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA is a monthly earnings limit. For 2026, that limit is $1,690 per month for non-blind claimants and $2,830 for blind claimants. The reviewer also builds a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment. Your RFC describes what you can still do despite your condition, such as how long you can sit, stand, or lift.
The examiner may also compare your records to the Blue Book, the SSA’s Listing of Impairments. If your records do not match a listing, they may send you to a consultative examination (CE). A CE is a short medical exam paid for by the SSA with a doctor you usually have not met before.
| Item (2026) | Amount or deadline |
|---|---|
| Deadline to request reconsideration | 60 days from the denial notice |
| SGA limit, non-blind | $1,690 per month |
| SGA limit, blind | $2,830 per month |
| Average SSDI payment | About $1,630 per month |
| Maximum SSDI payment | $4,152 per month |
| SSI federal benefit rate, individual | $994 per month |
| SSDI waiting period | 5 months |
| Back pay before application date | Up to 12 months |
| Medicare after SSDI entitlement | 24 months |
These federal figures change every January with the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The SGA limit and work-credit thresholds change then too. Always confirm the current number directly with the SSA. Any estimate here is illustrative, and every case is different.
What is disability reconsideration going to require from you
File on time. You can request reconsideration online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local office. Do not let the 60 days pass while you decide. If you miss it, you may have to start a new application, and that can cost you back pay.
Next, send new evidence. Simply repeating your old file rarely changes the outcome. For example, add records from any doctor visit since you applied, new test results, hospital notes, therapy notes, or a statement from your treating doctor about your daily limits. Also send a plain list of your medications and their side effects.
Then read your denial notice carefully. It usually says why you were denied. Some claimants are denied for medical reasons, others for technical reasons like earnings above SGA or missing work credits. As a result, the fix is different for each person. Keep working with your own doctors, go to any CE the SSA schedules, and keep copies of everything you send. Confirm your specific situation with the SSA and a licensed attorney or accredited representative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is disability reconsideration going to cost me?
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Filing an appeal with the SSA is free. However, if you hire a representative, the fee is usually the lesser of 25% of your past-due benefits or $9,200. In most cases it is contingency-based, meaning no fee if you do not win.
How long does reconsideration take?
Processing times vary widely by state, and many claimants wait several months. Usually you will get a written decision in the mail. You can check your status through your free my Social Security account at ssa.gov.
What happens if reconsideration is denied too?
You then have another 60 days to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Many claimants with this situation are approved at that level, so a second denial is not the end. Keep gathering medical evidence while you wait.
Key point: When people ask about what is disability reconsideration, the honest answer depends on your own situation — this guide on what is disability reconsideration walks through what the SSA actually looks at.
Bottom line on what is disability reconsideration: confirm the current figure and any deadline with the SSA, because the rules behind what is disability reconsideration can change each year.
Denied or Stuck? Here Is What to Do
If your claim was denied or you are stuck, you do not have to figure it out alone. Many people with a representative are approved at a higher rate, and a disability representative only gets paid if you win — usually nothing upfront.
Advertising — not a referral, endorsement, or legal advice.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures and rules in this guide on what is disability reconsideration come from official government sources. Social Security figures, deadlines, and rules change — the federal amounts reset every January — so always confirm the current figure with the SSA:
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — the first and most authoritative source on SSDI and SSI.
- SSA Blue Book (Listing of Impairments): ssa.gov Blue Book — the medical criteria SSA uses.
- U.S. Department of Labor: dol.gov — disability and benefit resources.
- USA.gov: usa.gov — a plain-language gateway to federal benefits.
- National Council on Aging: ncoa.org — benefits help for older adults.
Verified August 2026. SSA figures change every January; if you spot anything outdated, please contact us.
Related What Is Disability Reconsideration Guides
More guides related to what is disability reconsideration:
- How to Apply for Disability, Step by Step
- Do You Qualify for Disability? Free 5-Step Check
- Approval Chances & Wait Time by State
- Disability Back-Pay Estimator
- Denied? What to Do Next
Disclaimer. This page is for general information only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Disability Claim Info is an independent educational resource — we are not the Social Security Administration, a law firm, or a medical provider. SSDI and SSI rules and dollar figures change, and any estimate is an illustration, not a prediction. For your situation, confirm your eligibility and any deadline with the Social Security Administration and a licensed attorney or accredited representative before you act.