Request for Reconsideration
Official owner Social Security Administration
SSA’s request to reconsider an initial decision, with separate online routes for disability and non-medical decisions.
What problem this helps solve
SSA’s request to reconsider an initial decision, with separate online routes for disability and non-medical decisions.
Who completes it: A claimant asking SSA to reconsider an initial decision, or a representative where SSA’s instructions permit.
What this does not prove
Use the dated SSA decision notice to identify the correct appeal stage and timing. This record does not establish timeliness or change the decision.
NOLO source confidence
Official destination opened — currentness caution
SSA’s current form page and official PDF opened. The PDF displays December 2016 and says prior editions may be used until exhausted; use the live page and dated notice to choose the current route.
Last checked August 5, 2026. This label describes NOLO’s source knowledge, not agency quality or service availability.
Direct document
Before downloading, confirm the agency, form number, and revision date match the summary below.
Open official documentForm record
- Official title
- Request for Reconsideration
- Form number
- SSA-561-U2
- Program
- Social Security reconsideration
- Jurisdiction
- United States
- Revision date
- December 1, 2016
- Who completes it
- A claimant asking SSA to reconsider an initial decision, or a representative where SSA’s instructions permit.
- Signature
- Follow the live SSA route and current form instructions; the official PDF labels claimant signature optional.
- Submission methods
- SSA online disability or non-medical reconsideration route, Completed paper form to the local Social Security office under the current instructions
- Supporting documents
- • For a medical disability reconsideration, SSA’s form page also identifies SSA-827; other needs depend on the decision notice.
- Languages
- English form observed; SSA’s support route identifies English, Spanish, and other language help.
- Accessibility
- SSA offers phone support and TTY and provides electronic reconsideration routes for supported decisions.
Related NOLO journeys
Use a journey to prepare for documents, blockers, and backup routes around this destination.
Related documents and starting points
These records share a journey—not necessarily a submission package. Check each purpose and source state separately.
- Official formRequest For Hearing By Administrative Law JudgeOfficial destination checked
- Online portalSocial Security Disability application routeOfficial destination checked
- Instructions pageAppeal a Social Security disability decisionOfficial destination checked
- Instructions pageSocial Security representative payee processOfficial destination checked
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Source note: Use the dated SSA decision notice to identify the correct appeal stage and timing. This record does not establish timeliness or change the decision.
NOLO does not process this form, receive your answers, decide eligibility, or represent the agency. A destination check does not confirm current funding, acceptance, or an outcome.
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