How To Improve Your Disability Request for Reconsideration

artwork: Robin Mead

The reconsideration stage is a quick extra appeal step that only happens in some states. Here’s where you can learn: How to Request Reconsideration

Only 12% of people get approved during reconsideration stage. That’s low!

However, most people do not take any steps to help their reconsideration applications. So, 12% is actually high!

If you do anything at all to help improve your application, you will be giving the person who reviews your file much, much more to reconsider. Here’s some ways that have worked well for other readers.

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FOUR GREAT IDEAS

You do not have to do anything special before requesting reconsideration. If you wish to do something special, here’s four great things you can try:

1. Get Doctors Letters and Function Forms

A medical opinion letter or RFC Function form from your doctor can make a world of difference in your case. This is the very best thing you can do. Here’s How to Work with Your Doctor to Get Documentation. If your doc doesn’t like paperwork: How To Get Your Doctor to Fill Out Disability Paperwork

2. Make Sure Your Letters & Forms Include Everything You Need

A doctor’s letter or form can help your case, or it can hurt your case, or it can be ignored. Learn about how to get the right kind of form, from the right kind of doctor, including the right kind of information. How to Get a Great RFC Function Form or How to Get a Great Letter

3. Check What’s Missing

This is optional. Some of our readers have found it helpful to request their case file on CD. If you find any important records were missing or something in your file is incorrect, this is good! It will give you new evidence to submit. How to Check Your File

4. Update

The records Social Security has for you now may be 3-6 months old. If you have any important recent tests or new records, or anything else important not in your file, you can submit this now, or list what’s missing on your request for reconsideration forms and then follow up to make sure Social Security actually got them. Best Way to Collect and Best Way to Submit

Veronica’s Story

“I never expected to be approved quickly because I am 24 years old and have multiple college degrees. I was approved at the reconsideration level in nine months. I had no lawyer, but I did a ton of research during the process and wanted to share my strategy and help others as much as possible.” – Read Veronica’s Story

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MORE THINGS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT WISH TO INCLUDE

New Medical Tests

There may not be time to schedule more tests before the recon, but if you’d like to try. For ME, CFS, and related conditions: How to Get Medical Tests. The most common test our readers report helping their case is testing for memory, focus and concentration: How to Get Neuropsychological Testing

Old Medical Tests

If you already have test results with abnormal results, you may not need more. Instead, you can work with your doctor to make sure the test results you already have get included in your RFC forms or letter. Also, check your file and make sure the test results are included (or submit them now).

More Bright Ideas

Reconsideration stage can sometimes be fast, and there may not be time to do a lot more. However, if you are looking around for ideas, here is… A Long, Long List of How To Improve Your Application.

Personal Statements?

Personal letters, statements, symptom diaries and letters from friends and families: It probably won’t hurt to include these things, but it may not help either. Again, reconsideration is quick! If you have limited time and energy, you may wish to focus on more important things

Daisy’s Story

“My best friend in the world, my mama, just got approved for Social Security Disability. I would like to tell you, there is no way I could have gotten her approved, without the steps of this website. She was approved without a lawyer, in the reconsideration process. It was the first time we applied.” – Read Daisy’s Story

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TIPS!

Act Quick!

Deadline to submit Reconsideration forms is 60 days in their hands (not postmark). Get in as much as you can by that date. After you submit your Request For Reconsideration forms, you can still continue to submit more documents, but sometimes it is too late! Reconsideration decisions are sometimes made quickly – sometimes in one or two months. Get in as much as you can as quick as you can.

Tricky Questions

Here’s how to Answer Tricky Questions on Reconsideration Forms. Here’s where you can find forms to fill out: How to Request Reconsideration. Don’t forget: Sixty days in their hands.

Submit!

Reader’s report that Social Security is now allowing them to upload attachments when they submit their Request for Reconsideration online. Missing and lost records are very common in Social Security cases. The best evidence in the world won’t help you at all if your Disability Examiner never sees it! It’s a really great idea to Stay In Touch with Your Disability Examiner

Oops!

We are getting more reports from readers that the materials submitted online may never make it to your examiner. Please be sure to double check.

Lawyers & Advocates

Many of our readers report that disability lawyers told them that Request for Reconsideration is just a “rubber stamp denial.” We beg to differ! Reconsideration is our favorite stage! If you can get approved at this stage, you won’t have to wait another two years and endure a hearing. Why give up without trying?

Lawyers may not do a lot during the reconsideration stage, but many lawyers help a great deal more during hearing appeals. Magnolia used to work as a Disability Examiner. Here’s what she shared about: Does Hiring a Lawyer Help a New Application or Reconsideration?

Poppy’s Story

Two months later, Poppy opened her bank account and noticed a bunch of money in there! No one told her, but she had gotten approved. – Read Poppy’s Story

Don’t Do This!

Try not to do these things: How to Kill Your Application

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LEARN MORE

🌷 This page is part of the free online guide: The Sleepy Girl Guide to Social Security Disability 

🌷 Art on this page by Robin Mead and Elizabeth D’Angelo.

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