Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes swing significantly across the Macon panel, where approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions on record range from 31% to 72%. This wide spread means that random assignment plays a major role in your hearing experience. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, your case must be documented thoroughly enough to meet the standards of the most demanding members of the bench.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter B. Storey | 72% | 331 | |
| 2 | David Cornelius | 64% | 3,817 | |
| 3 | Michael L. Levinson | 62% | 322 | |
| 4 | Vincent Hill | 60% | 3,144 | |
| 5 | Christine A. Guard | 57% | 1,972 | |
| 6 | Stephen Thompson | 54% | 3,676 | |
| 7 | Eric S. Fulcher | 48% | 4,051 | |
| 8 | Russell W. Lewis | 48% | 1,679 | |
| 9 | Amy Uren | 40% | 1,924 | |
| 10 | Cam Oetter | 38% | 2,719 | |
| 11 | George Oetter | 37% | 540 | |
| 12 | Amy Uren Roberson | 37% | 1,253 | |
| 13 | Emily Y. Howard | 31% | 4,051 |
How long you'll wait
At MacOn, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7.5 months— versus a national average of 8.2 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
Hearings at the Macon office typically last about an hour, centering on your testimony and the input of a vocational expert. You have a 7.5-month wait window, which is a critical runway to update your medical records and document how your symptoms impact your daily life. Ensure your medication list is current and includes specific side effects that prevent you from maintaining full-time work. Evidence must be submitted well before the hearing date, as last-minute additions are often restricted. The ALJ will preside over the session, and you or your representative will have the opportunity to question the vocational expert about the jobs they suggest you can perform. A final decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span over 40 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. A well-prepared file helps you navigate the variance in judicial requirements, ensuring your medical evidence is presented in a way that clearly demonstrates your inability to perform full-time work.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at MacOn, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. 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 average wait for a hearing at this office is 7.5 months. While this is shorter than the national average of 8.2 months, the wait time has been rising recently, so it is best to prepare your evidence early. An attorney can help you manage your timeline and ensure your file is ready for your hearing date.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because approval rates vary widely across the panel, your focus should be on building a comprehensive case file that is ready for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of the judge assigned to your case.
You generally cannot choose your judge. If you are concerned about the judge assigned to your case, an attorney can help you review the judge's history and prepare a strategy tailored to their specific requirements.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the wide variance in approval rates at this office makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help organize your medical records and prepare you for the vocational expert's testimony.
