Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one maintain a tight approval-rate spread, with outcomes clustering around a 52% median. Because the variance between the lowest and highest approval rates is limited, the panel reads cases with a high degree of consistency. While random assignment determines your specific ALJ, the tight nature of the bench means your case will be evaluated against a stable standard.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin R. Martin | 57% | 4,188 | |
| 2 | Michael Scurry | 57% | 4,374 | |
| 3 | Jason R. Yoder | 54% | 4,492 | |
| 4 | Michael S. Worrall | 52% | 2,116 | |
| 5 | Matthias D. Onderak | 49% | 2,989 | |
| 6 | Marcus Johns | 49% | 1,324 | |
| 7 | Stuart T. Janney | 49% | 4,072 |
How long you'll wait
At Evansville, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 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
With a 7-month wait, your window to prepare for your hearing in Evansville is shorter than in many other regions. You must submit updated medical records, a current medication list, and a log of your daily activity limitations well before the hearing date. The ALJ will preside over a session where a vocational expert will likely testify about the availability of jobs matching your functional limits. You and your attorney have the right to question this expert. Ensure your evidence is complete, as last-minute additions are restricted. You will receive the judge's decision by mail after the hearing concludes.
Hearings at this office move faster than the national average, leaving less time to correct gaps in your medical record once your date is set. When the panel's approval rates are as consistent as they are in Evansville, the difference between an approval and a denial often comes down to how effectively your evidence addresses the vocational expert's testimony. Building a record that anticipates these specific questions before you step into the hearing room is a key part of your preparation.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Evansville, 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 months, which is faster than the 8.2-month national average. Use this time to ensure your medical evidence is fully updated. An attorney can help you organize these records.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, having a well-documented file is essential regardless of which judge is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing.
You generally cannot choose your judge. If you have concerns about your assigned ALJ, an attorney can help you understand your options for requesting a change or preparing for that specific judge's tendencies.
While not required, having representation can help you navigate the vocational expert's questions and ensure your medical records are properly presented. An attorney can help you build your case.
