Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. The 48% approval rate for James Andres reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be compared to the 21% to 87% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Ft Lauderdale. Because the SSA assigns cases randomly, these figures provide context for the environment of your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Andres. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Andres'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 2,174 decisions on record for James Andres since 2016 show a fluctuating approval trend. After a peak of 63% in 2017, the approval rate shifted to 34% in 2022. These trends are often influenced by changes in case mix or the quality of evidence presented in your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Andres'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 Ft Lauderdale hearing office
James Andres's most recent SSA record (September 2022) is at the Ft Lauderdale hearing office. This office serves the Florida region and includes a bench of 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Ft Lauderdale
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Ft Lauderdale, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 87% on their since-2016 records. Ten of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file.
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
James Andres has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 87% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Ft Lauderdale. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for James Andres has fluctuated over the years. It reached a high of 63% in 2017 before trending to 34% in 2022. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you review the evidence needed to support your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing before any judge assigned to your case.
The 48% approval rate on record for James Andres is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build a strong case.
