Who decides cases at this office
The 7 judges at this office decide cases with a moderate approval-rate spread, ranging from 38% to 70%. This variation means that while the office average is high, each ALJ weighs evidence differently. Cases are assigned randomly, so you cannot choose your judge, but a well-documented file helps ensure your limitations are clear to whoever presides over your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven D. Slahta | 70% | 3,529 | |
| 2 | Maria C. Northington | 69% | 4,268 | |
| 3 | Charles J. Arnold | 69% | 2,548 | |
| 4 | Ryan Johannes | 66% | 4,242 | |
| 5 | Mario G. Silva | 63% | 2,697 | |
| 6 | Raymond Rodgers | 53% | 5,051 | |
| 7 | Larry J. Butler | 38% | 99 |
How long you'll wait
At Fort Myers, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
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 8-month wait, you have a clear runway to ensure your medical records are complete before your hearing date. You must submit any new evidence, such as recent doctor notes or diagnostic tests, well before the deadline to ensure the ALJ can review it. During your hearing, a vocational expert will often testify about whether jobs exist that fit your limitations. You should be prepared to discuss your daily activities and how your symptoms prevent you from performing past work. Because the panel here shows meaningful variation in approval rates, your file must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of which judge is assigned. A decision typically arrives by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span over 30 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Even at offices like Fort Myers where most hearings go in your favor, the cases that fail often share one trait: a record that did not anticipate the vocational expert's questions. You can bridge this gap by pressure-testing your evidence before you walk into the hearing room.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Fort Myers, 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.
Frequently asked questions
The current average wait for a hearing at this office is 8 months. This wait time has been rising recently, so it is important to keep your contact information updated with the SSA. An attorney can help you track your status and prepare for your hearing date.
Cases are assigned randomly to one of the 7 judges on the panel. Because each ALJ has a different approach to weighing evidence, an attorney can help you understand the tendencies of the panel. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of the judge assigned to your case.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the Office of Hearings Operations. If you have a specific concern regarding a judge, discuss it with your representative immediately. An attorney can help you navigate the process if a conflict arises.
While not required, having representation is a significant advantage. Represented claimants are statistically more likely to be allowed benefits because an attorney ensures your medical evidence is properly presented to the ALJ. An attorney can help you build a stronger case for your hearing.