Who decides cases at this office
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with allowance rates spanning from 28% to 74%. Because the judges here weigh evidence differently, the specific ALJ assigned to your case creates a unique set of challenges. While cases are assigned randomly, this wide spread means your file must be strong enough to withstand scrutiny from any judge on the bench.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris L. Gavras | 72% | 7,145 | |
| 2 | Ted W. Armbruster | 60% | 29,790 | |
| 3 | John Clady | 59% | 979 | |
| 4 | Lyn Farmer | 55% | 6,597 | |
| 5 | Kelly Walls | 51% | 22,780 | |
| 6 | Thomas D. Businger | 50% | 16,917 | |
| 7 | Earl C. Cates Jr. | 48% | 9,676 | |
| 8 | Joan G. Knight | 41% | 4,475 | |
| 9 | Patricia A. Bucci | 35% | 22,916 | |
| 10 | Randolph E. Schum | 28% | 22,292 |
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your hearing.
Free Benefits ReviewHow long you'll wait
At Phoenix North, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 11 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Going to your hearing
With an 11-month wait, you have a substantial runway to ensure your file is complete before you step into the hearing room. Your primary task is to submit all updated medical records, including recent diagnostic tests and treatment notes, well before the deadline. During your hearing, an ALJ will preside, and a vocational expert will likely testify about your ability to perform specific jobs. You should be prepared to discuss your daily-activity logs and any side effects from your medications that limit your ability to work. Because the panel at this office is diverse, your testimony must be consistent with the medical evidence in your file. A decision is rarely issued on the spot; you will typically receive a written notice by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's allowance rates span nearly 50 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the tendencies of the Phoenix North panel can help you anticipate the vocational expert's questions and ensure your medical records directly address the criteria for disability. Use your remaining wait time to have a professional evaluate your file before you are under oath.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Phoenix North, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.