# How long does SSDI reconsideration take?

You must request reconsideration within 60 days of the initial denial; the file is reviewed by a different disability examiner and medical consultant than the ones who made the initial decision.

**Direct answer:** SSDI reconsideration is decided by the state Disability Determination Services and typically takes several months, though the exact processing time varies by state and workload — the SSA publishes current averages on its appeals and performance pages.

## Who decides reconsideration?
A different examiner and medical consultant at the state Disability Determination Services, not the SSA field office.

## What can change the timeline?
New medical evidence, requests for consultative exams, and case complexity all affect how long reconsideration takes.

## What if reconsideration is denied?
You have 60 days to request an ALJ hearing — the level where a large share of eventual approvals occurs.

## Sources
- SSA — How to Appeal a Decision — https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/appeal.html

## Related questions
- [How do I appeal an SSDI denial?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/how-do-i-appeal-an-ssdi-denial)
- [What happens after SSDI reconsideration is denied?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/what-happens-after-reconsideration-is-denied)
- [How long is the wait for an SSDI ALJ hearing?](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/answers/how-long-is-the-wait-for-an-alj-hearing)
- [SSDI Appeals & Reconsideration](https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals)
## Topics
- SSDI Appeals — https://ssdidirectanswers.com/appeals

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