Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 60% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 33% to 68% range observed among the bench at the Minneapolis hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, the 55% approval rate compares to a 52% rate for the office and a 52% rate for the state. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable view of past activity.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Ayling'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 April 2016, 4,022 decisions have been issued. The yearly approval trend shows fluctuation, starting at 73% in 2016 and moving to 55% in the most recent partial year of 2026. While the rate has seen periods of variance, such as the 66% approval observed in 2023, the overall pattern reflects a steady engagement with the caseload. The latest period's 55% approval rate is consistent with recent activity.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ayling'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 most recent office on record for this judge is the Minneapolis hearing office, which serves you across Minnesota. This office features a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 52%, reflecting the broader environment in which your hearing occurs.
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 the Minneapolis hearing office, and 7 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 33% to 68% on their records since 2016.
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
Judge Ayling has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 33% to 68% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Minneapolis hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate has fluctuated over the years, from 73% in 2016 to 55% in the most recent partial year of 2026. These variations are common in judicial dockets and do not necessarily indicate a change in how evidence is evaluated. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having your medical evidence organized with the help of an attorney.
The 60% approval rate on record since 2016 represents a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific standards required for approval.
