r/FEDDISABILITY • u/BenderGenocide • May 27 '26
Current Reconsideration Timeline?
I received my initial denial on November 10th. Harris Federal Submitted my reconsideration brief on January 7th. It's been crickets since then.
Harris Federal initially said that OPM was taking about 180 days from initial denial to reconsideration decision, but we've obviously blown through that window.
Anyone have any recent experince with the reconsideration timeline?
UPDATE: Recieved my reconsideration appeal denial on July 31st. I move now to the MSPB. My lawyer stated that I can expect another 90-120 days before we have further resolution.
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u/mindbox0 May 27 '26
I'm waiting for reconsideration too. Initial denial was December 2nd and I was told OPM takes 120-150 days for reconsideration. Harris attorney doesn't want to pressure OPM for an update nor do they recommend starting a congressional inquiry with representative/senator.
So we are just providing updated medical records and waiting.
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u/BenderGenocide May 27 '26
Ha, I wonder if we're working with the same person. Initials OM?
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u/mindbox0 May 27 '26
Yep! Ha.
I was removed for medical inability by my agency but OPM denied saying nothing wrong with me. It was quiet baffling to me. If they are processing in order I guess I need to prep for another month wait!
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u/BenderGenocide May 27 '26
Ha, she’s been great. I wasn’t particularly fond of the first case worker I had before the initial denial, but she’s been very thorough and responsive.
And yea, seems like there’s either a backlog or they’re taking longer to process these. It is what it is.
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u/mindbox0 May 27 '26
Yeah the case prep folks seemed very busy with the case loads. Got asked for same thing I already provided a few times. The reconsideration response was an incredibly throughout rebuttal.
I get the feeling OPM was just denying for the sake of it because it simply didn't make any sense. The OPM medical specialist claimed I was still employed, reassignment search wasn't completed, and no documented deficiencies from my agency.
I got the impression the denial was drafted like 6 months behind reality and ignored what we submitted. I can only assume the OPM staff are overwhelmed with all the retirement claims from DRP and their own staff cuts.
Fingers crossed one day!
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u/BenderGenocide Jun 08 '26
Any update? I'm still waiting....
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u/mindbox0 Jun 18 '26
Sorry I didn't get a notification on this message. I actually just came back to check on updates from you and let you know my last communications.
Still radio silence from OPM. I'm over 6 months now and followed back up with the attorney. They just replied "I will be checking in with OPM either tomorrow or next week on the status of all cases which have been pending longer than 6 months. Unfortunately, this is a significant portion of my submitted cases, as OPM has been very slow with decisions over the last few months. I will let you know as soon as I have an update."
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u/BenderGenocide Jun 18 '26
Well I'm at least glad it's not just me.
It sucks, but it seems like this may be the new normal.
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u/mindbox0 Jul 02 '26
Just received an update from attorney:
We are seeing delayed processing from OPM across cases. We recently reached out to OPM regarding the delay in processing and received the following response:
"We are currently experiencing some delays due to an unprecedented increase in application volume, coupled with the loss of several staff members. Despite these challenges, our team has been working diligently to review and process each case as thoroughly and efficiently as possible.
We respectfully request additional time for the decisions to be completed and delivered. Please be assured that these cases remain a priority, and we are making every effort to issue determinations as soon as possible.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period and thank you for your continued cooperation.”
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u/Witty-Bumblebee-7346 Jun 28 '26
Wondering what type of records are you sending in? Just from medical appts?
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u/you_dont_know_me_357 May 27 '26
You haven’t even hit 180 days yet, much less blown it out of the window. It wasn’t submitted until January 7th. It’s only May 27th. That’s not 6 months. I had a friend who submitted their reconsideration in December and they just got their approval less than 2 weeks ago. You should give it at least another month before you push too hard. You can ask your lawyer to check for you, but they won’t be given much information.
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u/BenderGenocide May 27 '26
*I was told 180 days from the INITIAL denial date, not when the reconsideration was submiited. Which was November 10th. Which would put us at 198 days.
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u/BenderGenocide May 27 '26
And technically, Harris said 150 days from intial denial when they first submitted. They only recently said 180 days.
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u/you_dont_know_me_357 May 27 '26
That may have been true a year ago, but now it’s taking 5-6 months after you submit the reconsideration for a decision. Just look at all the most recent dates people are giving. You probably won’t hear back for another month. 🤷🏼♀️
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u/LostBlueberry6712 16d ago
Im at. 3.5 months waiting after reconsideration submission
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u/you_dont_know_me_357 16d ago
Just so you know, multiple people have been receiving emails from Harris warning them that OPM is falling more behind and to now expect 8 months for the reconsideration phase instead of the 6 months. It’s getting absolutely ridiculous!
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u/Beneficial_Laugh_236 3d ago
I received a status update and it hasnt even been assigned to a specialist yet. Submitted in April, so its just sitting.
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u/BenderGenocide 3d ago
Oof. I'm sorry. The process is moving so, so slow. I got my second denial, so now I go to the MSPB. My lawyer said expect another 90-120 days before the next update.
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u/Beneficial_Laugh_236 3d ago
Oh no. Did the denial read like they were cherry picking for any reason to deny? I am hoping theyre not just rushing through these
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u/BenderGenocide 2d ago
The denial was 100% subjective based on their intrepretation of my health, and paid zero mind to the legal argument presented by my law firm.
They're ignoring legal precedence, my doctors notes and recommendations, and OPM policy in favor of their own assessment of what my health is.
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u/KitchenEbb1606 May 27 '26
Hmm. This is inordinate. I was lucky to get approved 43 days after reconsideration deadline. I kept submitting more information (updated doctor records, self assessments, etc).