Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the broader context of the hearing office. The 67% approval rate for Kristi Bellamy is based on 956 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 29% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte, this figure helps establish a baseline for understanding the local bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bellamy. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bellamy'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 trend for Kristi Bellamy shows a shift over the period from 2017 to 2020. After an initial approval rate of 74% in 2017, the figures moved to 70% in 2018, 63% in 2019, and 56% in 2020. This pattern reflects a gradual decline in the annual approval rate across the 956 total decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bellamy'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 Charlotte hearing office
The Charlotte hearing office serves you and other claimants across North Carolina and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, 18 judges have their most recent record at this location. You can see the Charlotte Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 29% to 83% on their since-2016 records.
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
Kristi Bellamy has a 67% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 29% to 83% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a trend where the approval rate moved from 74% in 2017 to 56% by 2020. This reflects a decline across her 956 decisions on record. Understanding these patterns is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is recommended.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
The 67% approval rate for Kristi Bellamy represents a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and your ability to prove your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
