Effective Dates: 1/22/2026 - Present

Identification Number:
DI 27001 TN 8
Intended Audience:See Transmittal Sheet
Originating Office:ORDP ODP
Title:Introduction
Type:POMS Full Transmittals
Program:All Programs
Link To Reference:
 

PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL SYSTEM

Part DI – Disability Insurance

Chapter 270 – Reconsideration Case Processing

Subchapter 01 – Introduction

Transmittal No. 8, 01/22/2026

Audience

PSC: DE, DEC, RECONR, SCPS;
OCO-OEIO: CR, ERE, FDE, RECONE;
OCO-ODO: DE, DEC, DS, RECONE;
ODD-DDS: ADJ, DHU;

Originating Component

ODP

Effective Date

Upon Receipt

Background

The Office of Disability Policy revised this section to provide updated guidance on the introduction to the reconsideration level. 

Summary of Changes

DI 27001.001 The Reconsideration Process

We retitled the section "Introduction to the Reconsideration Process " and made the following revisions:

In subsection A, we included a cross reference to reconsideration process instructions in GN 03102.100.

In subsection A. we included a cross reference to adverse medical reopening at DI 29001.001B.1..

 

Retitled subsection A, “Terms used in the reconsideration process”;

In subsection A, we define reconsideration, request for reconsideration, and adjudicative team;

Retitled subsection B, “Claimant’s rights during the reconsideration process; 

We explained that the reconsideration process provides the claimant the opportunity to submit new allegations.

We explained that the reconsideration review is a de novo (new) review.

Retitled subsection C, “Related forms on reconsideration”;

In subsection C, we include the following forms: SSA-561, SSA-3367, SSA-3441; SSA-827 and SSA-3881.

In subsection C.3.4. we explained how to process a claim when the Field Office sends a reconsideration level claim to the DDS without an SSA-3441-BK or SSA-827..”

 

 

In subsection C. we included cross-references to the FO and DDS instructions for obtaining an SSA-827.

We moved subsection, "DDS reconsideration processing actions" to a new section, DI 27001.015.

DI 27001.005 Types of Reconsideration Cases the Disability Determination Services Receives

We retitled the section "Types of Reconsideration Cases the Disability Determination Services Receives."

We changed passive to active voice.

We made grammatical changes throughout the chart.

We moved the notes out of the table and into a new subsection.

We revised the notes to improve the clarity.

We updated the reference to DI 20101.001C.3. to DI 20101.001C.1.

In the table we explained that the last two rows in the table refers to escalated claims.

In the table we explained that a adverse reopening is an adverse medical reopening.

We included a new title for subsection A.

We included a new subsection B.

We titled subsection B., Common reconsideration issues.

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 for individuals (e.g., auxiliaries) who show that their rights are adversely affected by an adverse medical reopening (AMR).

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.

An implied request for reconsideration is any documentation other than an SSA-561 or i561 (e.g., written request for appeal or timely submission of additional evidence) indicating 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.6.

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:

  • •

    An opportunity to submit additional evidence; or new allegations;

  • •

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

  • •

    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, treat the document as an implied request for reconsideration. The FO faxes the implied 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:

  • •

    FO instructions for processing incomplete appeal requests, see DI 12005.005D.

  • •

    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:

  • •

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

  • •

    FO instructions for processing incomplete appeal requests, see DI 12005.005D.

  • •

    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 minor child or legal guardian does not return the SSA-3881, see DI 25205.010C.

DI 27001.005 Types of Reconsideration Cases the Disability Determination Services Receives

A. Types of reconsideration cases received in the Disability Determination Services (DDS)

The DDS receives the following types of reconsideration cases:

Types of Determinations Appealed Table

TITLE

TYPES OF DETERMINATIONS APPEALED

Title II, Title XVI,

Concurrent Titles II/XVI

Initial denial

Initial allowance (adverse onset or closed period)

Initial cessation

Adverse medical reopening (AMR). For more information on types of AMRs afforded a disability hearing, see DI 29001.001B.1.

Title II only

Initial denial or cessation - new Title XVI application (escalated to the reconsideration level), see DI 27010.005

Title XVI only

Initial denial or cessation - new Title II application (escalated to the reconsideration level)

B. Common reconsideration issues

1. Field Office (FO) reverses a technical denial

When the FO reverses a technical denial, the FO sends the claim to the DDS for an initial medical determination instead of a reconsideration determination per DI 20101.001C.1.

2. Appeal applies to all claims

If a case includes claims for Title II and Title XVI benefits, or more than one claim for a Title II disability benefits, and the claimant appeals any medical issue for any of the benefit, the entire case is under review, including any favorable disability determination(s). Therefore, the FO must send the case as a concurrent claim to DDS per DI 12005.001B.3.

 


DI 27001 TN 8 - Introduction - 1/22/2026