Form SSA-561: Request for Reconsideration (Social Security)

What is Form SSA-561?

Form SSA-561-U2 is how you tell the Social Security Administration that you don't agree with its determination and want it reconsidered. You name the claimant, give the Social Security number (and the claim number if it's different), say which issue you're appealing (retirement, disability, hospital or medical, SSI, SVB, overpayment and so on), and give your reasons.

If the decision is about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Special Veterans Benefits (SVB), you also pick one of three ways to appeal: a case review, an informal conference or a formal conference. The form explains when each one is available.

FileIt pre-fills the claimant's name from your vault, checks that the issue and reasons fit on the form's three lines each, and prints your answers on both copies in SSA's own PDF (the 'Claims Folder' copy and the 'Claimant' copy), accented names included. The finished form is saved in the person's vault folder.

Who files it: The claimant, or someone helping them; a representative can be named on the form.
Pages: 4: the request, a list of initial determinations, a claimant's copy of the request, and the Privacy Act notice.
Signature: The claimant's signature is optional on this form.
Where it goes: Your local Social Security office, the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Manila, or any U.S. Foreign Service post.
Edition: Form SSA-561-U2 (12-2016), OMB No. 0960-0622

Who needs to fill out Form SSA-561?

Anyone who received a Social Security decision they disagree with, such as on retirement, survivors, SSI, SVB or an overpayment.
SSI and SVB recipients who want a case review or a conference about a payment being stopped or lowered.
Representatives and family members helping a claimant appeal.

When to use Form SSA-561

After you get a notice of an initial determination you think is wrong. Page 2 of the form lists the actions that count as initial determinations.
Not when SSA says it will stop your disability benefits for medical reasons or because you're no longer blind: the form says SSA will give you Form SSA-789-U4 for that.
If you're filing late, attach your explanation for the delay.

What you need before you start

The notice you're appealing, with its date.
The claimant's name and Social Security number, and the claim number if it's different.
A short statement of why you disagree, plus any evidence you want to send.
Your mailing address and phone number, and your representative's details if you have one.

What’s on Form SSA-561

The 2016 edition has 4 pages. FileIt asks for it in 4 parts:

The decision you're appealingClaimant
SSI or SVB reconsideration onlyClaimant
Your contact informationClaimant
Your representative (if any)Claimant

How to fill out Form SSA-561, step by step

1 Claimant and claim

Name, Social Security number and, only if different, the claim number.

2 Issue and reasons

Name the issue you're appealing and, in three lines, why you think the decision is wrong. Attach a sheet for more.

3 SSI or SVB only

Turn this part on for an SSI or SVB decision and choose case review, informal conference or formal conference.

4 Contact information

Your mailing address, phone and date, and your representative's name, address, phone and date if you have one.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using this form for a medical cessation of disability benefits, which has its own form (SSA-789-U4).
Picking an informal or formal conference when it isn't available for your kind of case; a case review is possible in every case.
Leaving out the claim number when you receive benefits on someone else's record.
Filing late without attaching an explanation for the delay.

After you fill it out

Print the form; sign the claimant signature box if you want to (it's optional).

Take or mail the completed original to your local Social Security office, the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Manila, or any U.S. Foreign Service post.

Keep the claimant's copy (page 3) for your records. FileIt also files the PDF in the person's vault folder.

Fill out Form SSA-561 online with FileIt

Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 19 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real Social Security Administration (SSA) form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start Form SSA-561 now — it’s free

Form SSA-561: frequently asked questions

What is Form SSA-561 used for?

To ask Social Security to reconsider a determination you don't agree with. It's the first level of appeal.

What are the three ways to appeal an SSI or SVB decision?

A case review (possible in all cases), an informal conference (all SSI cases except medical issues, and SVB only when payments are being stopped or lowered), and a formal conference (only when SSI or SVB payments are being stopped or lowered).

Do I have to sign it?

No. The claimant signature box on this form is marked optional.

How long do I have to appeal?

Your notice tells you. If you're past the time limit, the form asks you to attach an explanation for the delay.

Can someone represent me?

Yes. The form has space for your representative's name, address and phone. Social Security uses Form SSA-1696 to appoint a representative.

Official sources

Blank form (PDF), published by Social Security Administration (SSA): https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-561.pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-561.pdf
Edition shown on this page: Form SSA-561-U2 (12-2016) uf (OMB No. 0960-0622); prior edition may be used until exhausted (checked 2026-10-25).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Social Security Administration (SSA) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-25.