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Read. Follow. Verify.The RECON Act: Making Social Security Appeals Optional
Last action · April 23, 2026: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.Sponsor: Valerie Foushee
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What This Bill Would Do
The RECON Act would allow Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants to skip the '' step of the appeals process. This would allow individuals to request a hearing directly after an initial denial of benefits.
If passed, this bill would change the legal appeals path for Social Security and SSI applicants by removing the mandatory review, potentially shortening the time it takes to reach a formal hearing for those denied benefits.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Social Security and SSI applicants
Applicants would gain the legal option to bypass the reconsideration stage of the appeals process.
Social Security Administration
The agency would be required to adjust its administrative procedures to allow direct hearing requests following initial denials.
Key Facts
- The bill eliminates the requirement for applicants to undergo a 'reconsideration' review before requesting a hearing for Social Security (Title II) or SSI (Title XVI) benefit denials.
- The Commissioner of Social Security is prohibited from requiring reconsideration as a prerequisite to a hearing.
- The Commissioner must provide an opportunity for a hearing upon the request of an applicant following an initial decision.
- The changes apply to any initial decision or determination made on or after one year following the date of the Act's enactment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'reconsideration' process?
If this bill passes, can I still choose to have a reconsideration review?
When would this change take effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Apr 23, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Apr 23, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
162 STRATEGIES
on behalf of Atticus Labs
2026
“Issues related to Social Security disability technology resources, operations, policy, and adjudication. RECON Act (H.R. 8478).”
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Streamlining Appeals
The bill represents a shift toward reducing administrative hurdles in the Social Security appeals process by removing a mandatory layer of review.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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