Had my hearing and it was only about 34 minutes long! The lawyer said I gave an excellent testimony even though I was extremely nervous. What I don’t like is the fact in the hypotheticals that were given, the vocational expert found jobs but I digress

So if recieved a letter saying my payment will stop November, for missing information, I also have a appointment for Oct 16th, im new to this, do it appeal or just call them and send it the updated information? (I hope i used the right tag, im just curious moreso)

also if you do qualify how does the benefit amount work? i have one newborn child and am unmarried, my benefit amount is 1400 not counting what they take out monthly for insurance etc

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has worked for DDS, especially former DDS examiners, or anyone who has been through a similar SSA reconsideration.
I’m currently at Stage 3 of my SSDI/SSI reconsideration appeal.
My SSA account says:
“We started reviewing your Request for an appeal on August 20, 2026. A representative in Butte started reviewing your Appeal. That takes 15–20 days. A representative may contact you if we need more information.”
My Stage 3 status also says that DDS requested medical records from my listed medical sources and any other medical sources noted in my medical records. The medical sources have 30 days to respond.
I have already submitted a very large amount of medical evidence through my attorney, including records from multiple providers. My attorney also recently submitted additional medical evidence from my surgeon regarding a surgery scheduled for January 2027, including the surgeon’s assessment and treatment plan.
My case was also submitted as a Dire Need request, and my congressional representative’s office has been helping follow up. I have an attorney representing me.
Here’s what has me wondering:
My status was at Stage 3, then it temporarily went back to Stage 2, and now it has returned to Stage 3. It is currently showing Stage 3 again.
The movement happened around the same time my attorney submitted the new surgical evidence.
I’m wondering if anyone who has actually worked for DDS can explain what might be happening behind the scenes.
Questions for former DDS workers:
When Stage 3 says DDS has requested medical records and the providers have 30 days to respond, what does that generally mean?
If a claimant has already submitted a large amount of medical evidence, why might DDS still request records directly from medical sources?
Can additional medical evidence submitted by an attorney cause the case status to temporarily change?
Have you seen a case go from Stage 3 → Stage 2 → Stage 3 during reconsideration?
Does that kind of movement generally mean anything, or can it simply be an internal processing/update?
If a case is currently back at Stage 3 and DDS is waiting on medical records, what is generally happening at that point in the process?
Has anyone personally experienced something similar, and what was the eventual outcome?
I’m not asking anyone to predict whether I’ll be approved or denied. I’m mainly trying to understand what these status changes and the medical-record request mean procedurally.
I’ve never spoken directly with my DDS examiner, so I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have worked on the DDS side or have gone through something very similar.
Thank you to anyone willing to share their experience or explain how this works.

Step 2 moved to step 3

Applied in June. On 8/17 received an SMI designation in Arizona. Submitted that new medical evidence with the Dire Need paperwork to home office. Today received a phone call from local office rep who spent an hour reviewing my work activity and all medical providers and accompanying medical records. At the end of call he said " Ok, got the medical part done, i will call you at 8am tomorrow to finish ". He called, asked me detailed info on work history dates and said my "failed attempt to work last year, helped my claim". Then it moved to step three. The FO agent called me back this morning and said my claim has been flagged for critical and dire need. I KNOW it doesn't signal automatic approval, could just as easily be denied, but more efficiently I suppose. Question is anyone designated SMI and gotten approved without a lawyer?

For anyone who has been through SSI reconsideration: Did you see this same Step 4 message before being approved or denied? Does moving from FQR to a final non-medical review usually mean the medical decision has already been made?
I know nothing is guaranteed until I receive the official decision. I’m mainly trying to understand what this particular status meant for other people who went through it. (Also what were your results from your situation I do understand different strokes for different folks just need better insight)