A Social Security Disability appeal time can vary, depending on the type of appeal that is filed and the unique circumstances of your case. The first appeal, the Request for Reconsideration, is typically decided anywhere between three to six months. If the Request for Reconsideration is denied and you decide to proceed with the next phase of the appeals process, then you must wait for an in-person or virtual hearing. The average wait time is six months to a year from when the hearing was requested until a hearing is held.