Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 58% approval rate for K. Barlow reflects a docket of 2,757 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 33% to 78% range seen among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Barlow. 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 Barlow'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 K. Barlow has shown an upward trend since 2016. Starting at 49% in 2016, the rate reached 73% by 2022. This pattern across 2,757 decisions on record suggests a shift in outcomes over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Barlow'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 Jacksonville hearing office
The Jacksonville hearing office is the most recent office on record for K. Barlow as of September 2022. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville, and their approval rates vary, ranging from 33% to 78%. Because of this variance, understanding the local bench is helpful for your preparation.
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
K. Barlow has a 58% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 33% to 78% range of approval rates for the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for K. Barlow has trended upward over the period from 2016 to 2022. It began at 49% in 2016 and rose to 73% by 2022. An attorney can help you evaluate how these historical patterns might relate to the specific evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and your physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face during this process.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While K. Barlow has a 58% approval rate on record since 2016, your result depends on the unique medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
