Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at the full scope of available data. The 43% approval rate for Stewart Alford is based on 260 decisions on record since 2018. This figure sits within the 33% to 68% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting outcomes for your specific case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Alford. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Alford's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Stewart Alford shows a slight decline over the recorded period, moving from 45% in 2018 to 40% in 2019. With 260 total decisions on record since 2018, this data provides a consistent look at how cases were handled during that window. The trend reflects a pattern of decision-making that can be influenced by changes in case mix or evidence quality over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Alford's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Minneapolis hearing office
The Minneapolis hearing office serves you and other claimants in Minnesota and the surrounding region. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can generally expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors of your claim. You can see the Minneapolis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis, and their approval rates vary significantly across the bench. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Stewart Alford has a 43% approval rate on his record since 2018. This falls within the 33% to 68% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Stewart Alford was 45% in 2018 and 40% in 2019. This represents a steady pattern of decision-making across the 260 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of who is assigned.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you organize this evidence to give your case the best chance of success.
