diff --git a/eligibility_server/settings.py b/eligibility_server/settings.py
index 7ba0a664..0e9d979f 100644
--- a/eligibility_server/settings.py
+++ b/eligibility_server/settings.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 DEBUG_MODE = True
 HOST = "0.0.0.0"  # nosec
 LOG_LEVEL = "INFO"
-REQUEST_TIMEOUT = 5
+REQUEST_TIMEOUT = (3, 20)
 
 # Database settings
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def log_level(self):
 
     @property
     def request_timeout(self):
-        return int(current_app.config["REQUEST_TIMEOUT"])
+        return current_app.config["REQUEST_TIMEOUT"]
 
     # API settings