In a previous post on this blog entitled “The Initial Level” we discussed the first of the four main levels of an application for Social Security disability benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income. This entry discusses the second level which is commonly referred to as the “Reconsideration Level.”
If an individual’s application was denied at the initial level, then the process will continue to the reconsideration level. The reconsideration level is very similar to the initial level in that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will conduct a complete review of your claim and the medical evidence which has been collected from your health care providers. However, at this level the evidence will be reviewed by individuals who did not take part in the decision made at the initial level. The SSA will again review all of the evidence that was considered at the initial stage, as well as any new material that has been submitted.
Although a new evaluation is being conducted at the reconsideration level, unfortunately, the denial rate at this level is very high. For example in 2009 only 8.2% of medical decisions made at the reconsideration level resulted in approval. (See Outcomes of Applications for Disability Benefits here)
If it is determined that an individual is not disabled at the reconsideration level, the individual may request a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge, which is the third stage an application for disability benefits can progress to. The Hearing Level will be addressed in a future post.
