SSDI Reconsideration in North Dakota: What to Do

Receiving a denial on your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application is discouraging, but it is not the end of the road. The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies the majority of initial applications — often more than 60% nationwide. For North Dakota residents, understanding the reconsideration process is a critical first step toward getting the benefits you rightfully deserve.

What Is SSDI Reconsideration?

Reconsideration is the first level of the SSA's four-step administrative appeals process. When you request reconsideration, a different SSA examiner — one who was not involved in your original decision — conducts a complete review of your claim. This reviewer looks at all the evidence previously submitted along with any new medical records or documentation you provide.

In North Dakota, disability determinations at the reconsideration stage are handled through the North Dakota Disability Determination Services (DDS), located in Bismarck. The DDS works in partnership with the federal SSA to evaluate medical and vocational evidence and make eligibility decisions on the state's behalf.

It is important to understand that reconsideration is not simply a rubber stamp of the original decision. A new pair of eyes reviews your file, which gives you a genuine opportunity to correct errors, fill in medical gaps, and present a stronger case.

Filing Deadlines You Cannot Afford to Miss

The SSA imposes a strict 60-day deadline to request reconsideration after receiving your denial notice. The agency presumes you received the notice within five days of the date printed on the letter, giving you effectively 65 days from the notice date. Missing this window can result in losing your appeal rights entirely and being forced to start a brand-new application — potentially forfeiting months of back pay.

To request reconsideration in North Dakota, you have several options:

• File online at the SSA's official website
• Visit your local Social Security field office in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, or Minot
• Call the SSA's national toll-free number to initiate the request
• Mail a completed SSA-561-U2 (Request for Reconsideration) form

If you are close to the deadline and cannot gather all supporting documents in time, file the appeal first. You can submit additional evidence afterward. Missing the deadline because you were waiting on medical records is a costly mistake that can be avoided.

Strengthening Your Reconsideration Case in North Dakota

The most common reason SSDI claims are denied at the initial stage is insufficient medical evidence. Your reconsideration is an opportunity to close those evidentiary gaps. Here is what experienced disability advocates recommend:

• Obtain updated medical records: If you have seen a physician, specialist, or mental health provider since your initial application, request those records and submit them with your appeal. Conditions that have worsened over time are particularly important to document.
• Get a detailed opinion from your treating physician: A residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment completed by your doctor — specifically addressing your limitations with sitting, standing, lifting, concentrating, and completing a workday — carries significant weight with SSA reviewers.
• Address the specific reason for denial: Your denial letter outlines why you did not qualify. Target your new evidence directly at those stated reasons.
• Document non-exertional limitations: North Dakota claimants with mental health conditions, chronic pain, or cognitive impairments often underreport these limitations. Pain diaries, psychiatric evaluations, and psychological testing can all support your claim.
• Consider the rural healthcare factor: Many North Dakota residents live in rural areas with limited access to specialists. If travel or access to care has delayed your treatment, document this context clearly, as it can affect how gaps in your medical record are interpreted.

What Happens After You File for Reconsideration

Once your request is submitted, the North Dakota DDS will acknowledge receipt and assign a new examiner. The review typically takes three to six months, though processing times can vary. You may be asked to attend a consultative examination (CE) — a medical evaluation arranged and paid for by the SSA — if the agency needs additional clinical information.

Attend any consultative examination you are scheduled for. Failure to appear without good cause can result in a denial based on insufficient evidence, regardless of how strong your underlying medical record is.

Unfortunately, reconsideration has the lowest approval rate in the SSDI appeals process — often under 15% nationally. This does not mean you should skip the step. Completing reconsideration is a mandatory prerequisite to requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which is the stage where the majority of successful SSDI appeals are won. North Dakota claimants who reach the ALJ hearing stage see significantly higher approval rates than at the reconsideration level.

When to Consider Legal Representation

You are not required to have an attorney at the reconsideration stage, but research consistently shows that claimants with legal representation are approved at higher rates than those who navigate the system alone. A disability attorney or advocate can identify weaknesses in your file, obtain critical medical evidence, communicate with your doctors, and ensure deadlines are met.

Importantly, SSDI attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. By federal law, attorney fees are capped at 25% of your back pay, up to a maximum of $7,200. There is no upfront financial risk to hiring experienced legal help.

For North Dakota claimants dealing with conditions such as degenerative disc disease, COPD, diabetes with complications, heart disease, depression, PTSD, or any other severe impairment, having an advocate who understands how SSA evaluates these conditions can be the difference between approval and a second denial.

If reconsideration results in another denial, do not give up. Request an ALJ hearing within 60 days and continue building your case. Many North Dakota residents ultimately win their SSDI benefits after one or more appeals — perseverance and proper documentation are key.

Need Help? If you have questions about your case, call or text 833-657-4812 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney.

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