SSA Disability Resources
The Social Security Disability Appeals Process
A denial is not always the end of a Social Security disability claim. In most cases, you can ask SSA to review the decision at four successive levels: reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), Appeals Council review, and federal court.
At each level, the usual deadline is 60 days after you receive the notice. SSA generally assumes you received it five days after the date printed on the notice, unless you show it arrived later. That is a receipt rule—not a guaranteed 65-day filing period. If you miss the deadline, ask in writing for more time and explain why; an extension is not automatic.
Four appeal levels and their timelines
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Appeal Level 1
Reconsideration
Request deadlineRequest within 60 days after you receive the denial notice.Typical timing241-day average processing time in FY 2025.FY 2025 outcome16% allowed in FY 2025. -
Appeal Level 2
Hearing before an ALJ
Request deadlineRequest within 60 days after you receive the reconsideration notice.Typical timingMany offices reported about 8–10 months in September 2026.FY 2025 outcome50% of hearing dispositions allowed in FY 2025. -
Appeal Level 3
Appeals Council Review
Request deadlineRequest within 60 days after you receive the ALJ decision.Typical timingProcessing time varies; most requests are denied review.FY 2025 outcome80% denied review in FY 2025. -
Appeal Level 4
Federal Court Review
Request deadlineFile within 60 days after you receive the Appeals Council action.Typical timingTiming depends on the federal district court’s schedule.FY 2025 outcome65% remanded in FY 2025; 1% allowed.
How long can the process take?
Time to a decision varies by level, office, and court. SSA reported an average of 241 days to process disability reconsiderations in FY 2025. Its September 2026 hearing-wait report showed many hearing offices around 8–10 months; the report measures cases closed that month, so it is a snapshot, not a promise about your case.
What the national outcomes show
At the hearing level, 50% of ALJ hearing dispositions were allowances in SSA’s FY 2025 workload report, compared with 16% at reconsideration. These are national results for one fiscal year—not a prediction of what will happen in an individual case.
SSA’s old prototype process eliminated reconsideration in some locations, but SSA reinstated that step in all 10 test states by March 31, 2020. Advice saying you can still skip directly from an initial medical denial to an ALJ hearing is outdated.
Four chances to challenge a decision
Each level has a different reviewer and a different job. Reconsideration is another administrative review of the claim. At a hearing, an ALJ can ask you questions and hear from experts. The Appeals Council reviews the ALJ’s action on the record. Federal court reviews whether SSA followed the law and supported its decision with substantial evidence.
The 60-day deadline applies at every level
The clock generally starts when you receive the notice, not when SSA prints it. SSA presumes delivery five days after the notice date unless you can show it arrived later. File promptly and keep proof of submission. If you are late, request an extension and explain the reason; do not assume SSA or a court will excuse a missed deadline.
What the national outcome numbers show
In FY 2025, SSA reported allowances in 16% of reconsideration decisions and 50% of ALJ hearing dispositions. Appeals Council dispositions included 80% denials of review and 15% remands. At the federal-court level, SSA reported 65% remands and 1% allowances. Percentages are rounded and describe that year’s workload; court data also include continuing-disability-review appeals.