When a claim for Social Security disability benefits is denied at the initial level, the claimant may then request “reconsideration” of that decision. The case is then sent to a different disability examiner for a new decision. Unfortunately, about 80% of the time the reconsideration decision is the same as the initial decision – a denial.   Michigan did away with this step for a while but brought it back in 2019.  After a Reconsideration denial,  your next avenue of appeal in Michigan is to Request a Hearing.