What is the deadline to request reconsideration after an SSDI denial?

60 days from the date you received the denial notice. SSA presumes you received the notice 5 days after the date on it, giving you an effective 65-day window. Late requests require a showing of good cause under 20 CFR § 404.911.

Should I attach new medical evidence?

Yes. Reconsideration is a fresh review by a different examiner. New medical evidence — recent specialist evaluations, imaging, mental health assessments, or RFC opinions from your treating physician — substantially improves your odds.

What happens if reconsideration is also denied?

You can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) within 60 days of the reconsideration denial. ALJ hearings have substantially higher approval rates, especially when you have a representative. 20 CFR § 404.929.

Should I get a representative or attorney?

Strongly recommended for the ALJ hearing stage. Disability representatives work on contingency — you pay nothing unless you win. The fee is statutorily capped at 25% of past-due benefits up to $7,200. SynthCounsel is not a law firm and does not represent claimants.

Can I file the request online instead of by mail?

Yes — SSA accepts the SSA-561 reconsideration form online at ssa.gov/forms/ssa-561.html. The wizard's output letter is built to attach to the form (or to use as the body if the online portal allows).

Federal benefits hubSSDI reconsideration — 20 CFR § 404.907

SSA denied you. You have 60 days. Make it count.

The initial denial is a checkbox decision by a state agency examiner who never met you. Reconsideration is a fresh review by a different examiner — and the only doorway to an ALJ hearing, where most claims are won. This wizard builds a Request for Reconsideration that cites functional limitations, treating providers, and the specific error in the initial determination so SSA cannot rubber-stamp the same outcome.

1Your info
2Dates
3Diagnoses
4Providers
5Review

Your full name *

SSN last 4 digits *

Street address *

City, State, ZIP *

Phone (optional)

Why a written, properly-cited reconsideration matters

Roughly two-thirds of initial SSDI applications are denied — many on RFC or vocational grounds that a focused reconsideration request can fix. Send by certified mail with return receipt, attach new medical evidence, and calendar 60 days for the SSA decision. If reconsideration is denied, you have another 60 days to request an ALJ hearing — find a disability representative before that hearing.

Pro tip

ALJ hearing approval rates are substantially higher with a representative. Representatives are paid on contingency — no fee unless you win — and the fee is capped by statute at 25% of past-due benefits up to $7,200. Find a representative through your local NOSSCR chapter or your state bar's lawyer-referral service.