Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 70% approval rate for Tom Andrews reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which compares against the 37% to 70% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Des Moines hearing office. This docket size of 3,290 decisions provides a stable statistical foundation for understanding past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Andrews. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Andrews'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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Tom Andrews has shown a generally steady pattern. After starting at 65% in 2016, the annual approval rate reached 77% in 2024 before settling at 75% in the partial 2025 data. With 3,290 total decisions on record, the judge maintains a consistent approach to evaluating evidence. Recent figures suggest a continuation of this stable pattern, though your individual case outcome always depends on the specific medical evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Andrews'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 Des Moines hearing office
The Des Moines hearing office serves claimants across Iowa. This office has a bench of 10 judges whose most recent record is at this location, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 53%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Des Moines
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Des Moines hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 70% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Tom Andrews has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the top of the 37% to 70% range for the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Des Moines hearing office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Tom Andrews has remained relatively steady, moving from 65% in 2016 to 75% in the partial 2025 data. While these trends provide context, they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your hearing. An attorney can help you understand how your medical evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history by the judge or a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
The 70% approval rate for Tom Andrews represents the percentage of cases approved out of 3,290 decisions on record since 2016. It is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case to improve your chances of a favorable decision.
