Approval rates
The approval rate for Renita K. Bivins is 31% based on 1,768 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the broader bench at the Cincinnati hearing office, where judges range from 31% to 77% in their approval rates on record since 2016, this figure provides a baseline for your expectations. These statistics are derived from a significant volume of cases, ensuring a stable pattern. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bivins. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bivins'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 Renita K. Bivins has shown a gradual upward trend since 2016. Starting at 20% in 2016, the rate reached 39% by 2023 across the 1,768 decisions on record. This pattern suggests a shift in outcomes over the years, though the rate remained consistent in the most recent years of the data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bivins'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 Cincinnati hearing office
The Cincinnati hearing office serves you across Ohio and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, 14 judges have their most recent record at this location. The office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 52%, which provides context for the environment in which your hearing may occur.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cincinnati
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 Cincinnati hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 77% on their records since 2016. Five of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Renita K. Bivins has an approval rate of 31% on record since 2016. This sits at the lower end of the 31% to 77% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cincinnati hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of your assigned judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Renita K. Bivins has trended upward, moving from 20% in 2016 to 39% in 2023. This data is based on 1,768 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these trends might affect your hearing, a free case review can provide clarity. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific judge.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why preparing a comprehensive case file with an attorney is the best way to ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an administrative law judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the specific questions the judge may ask.
The 31% approval rate for Renita K. Bivins is a statistical observation of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
