Effective Dates: 03/02/2026 - Present Previous | Next

TN 10 (03-26)

DI 27001.001 Introduction to the Reconsideration Process

CITATIONS:

Social Security Act – Section 205(b)(2);
Regulations – 20 CFR 404.901, 404.907 – 404.922, 416.1401, 416.1407-416.1413b, 416.1414-416.1422

A. Terms used in the reconsideration process

1. Reconsideration

The reconsideration is the first step in the administrative review process that the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides to a claimant dissatisfied with an initial medical determination or adverse medical reopening (AMR). An individual, e.g., an auxiliary, who shows in writing that their rights are adversely affected by an initial medical determination or AMR may also request a reconsideration.

The reconsideration involves a thorough, independent review of all evidence from the initial determination and any new evidence the claimant or their appointed representative, parent of minor child, or legal guardian submits, or we obtain, in connection with the request for reconsideration.

For more information on:

2. Request for reconsideration

A request for reconsideration can be expressed or implied; however, it must be in writing. A written request for reconsideration is any documentation (e.g., a letter, facsimile, or submission of additional evidence) that clearly implies disagreement with the initial medical determination.

For more information on:

3. Adjudicative team

An adjudicative team consisting of a disability examiner (DE) and a medical consultant (MC) or psychological consultant (PC) make the reconsideration determination. The DE and MC/PC involved in the reconsideration determination must be different from the persons who made the initial determination. For more information on the adjudicative team, see DI 24501.001B.

NOTE: A Medical Advisor (MA) is not part of the adjudicative team but can provide analysis of medical issues at both the initial and reconsideration level of adjudication. See DI 24501.001B.6

B. Claimant's rights during the reconsideration process

The reconsideration process provides the claimant:

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    An opportunity to submit additional evidence; or make new allegations;

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    A de novo (i.e., new) review of the evidence considered in making the initial medical determination and any other evidence submitted or obtained;

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    A reconsidered determination based on all evidence of record.

C. Related forms on reconsideration

When a claimant requests reconsideration of an initial medical determination, the Field Office (FO) explains the reconsideration process and obtains the appropriate appeal forms.

For more information on:

1. SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration)

The purpose of the SSA-561 is to document the request for reconsideration and the reason for the appeal. The FO may receive documentation other than an SSA-561 from a claimant requesting an appeal of the initial medical determination. If the FO receives a written request for an appeal, that document is a request for reconsideration. The FO faxes the request into the certified electronic folder (CEF).

2. SSA-3367 (Disability Report - Field Office)

The purpose of the SSA-3367 is to alert adjudicating components to factors that could affect entitlement or case development. For more information on FO completion of the SSA-3367, see DI 11005.045.

3. SSA-3441-BK (Disability Report - Appeal)

The purpose of the SSA-3441-BK is to collect updated information about the claimant's medical condition(s) including changes to their impairment(s), new alleged impairment(s), or new medical sources.

Generally, the FO obtains the SSA-3441-BK at the reconsideration level (see DI 12095.030). However, if the claimant does not return the SSA-3441-BK requested by the FO, the Disability Determination Services (DDS) will treat the FO request as the initial request and follow up with the claimant per DI 22505.014A.

For more information on:

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    Circumstances where a claimant fails or refuses to complete form SSA-3441, see DI 12005.005D.

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    Processing electronic reconsideration cases when an SSA-3441 was not received, see DI 81020.025A.

4. SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration)

The purpose of the SSA-827 is to authorize the release of information from the claimant's sources.

Generally, the FO obtains a new SSA-827 at the reconsideration level (see DI 12005.005B). However, if the claimant does not return the new SSA-827 requested by the FO, use the SSA-827 from the initial level if not expired.

If the SSA-827 is expired, the DDS will treat the FO request as the initial request and follow up with the claimant per DI 22505.014A.

For more information on:

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    FO instructions for obtaining an SSA-827 at the reconsideration level, see DI 11005.057A.2.

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    Circumstances where a claimant fails or refuses to complete form SSA-827, see DI 12005.005D.

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    DDS instructions for obtaining an electronically signed SSA-827, see DI 22501.007.

5. SSA-3881 (Questionnaire for Children Claiming SSI Benefits)

The purpose of the SSA-3881 is to collect information specific to Title XVI disabled child (DC) claims that is not asked on the SSA-3441, such as schools and other non-medical sources who can provide information about the child's functioning.

Generally, the FO obtains an SSA-3881 at the reconsideration level. If the parent of a minor child or legal guardian does not return the SSA-3881, see DI 25205.010C.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0427001001
DI 27001.001 - Introduction to the Reconsideration Process - 03/02/2026
Batch run: 03/02/2026
Rev:03/02/2026