Approval rates
The approval rate for Michael C. Blanton is based on 1,975 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2021. This figure is compared against the broader bench at the Seattle hearing office, where approval rates for judges with similar records range from 21% to 93%. Because the SSA assigns cases randomly, these statistics provide a look at the judicial environment rather than a guarantee of your outcome.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Blanton. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Blanton'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 Michael C. Blanton remained high throughout the period from 2016 to 2021. Starting with a 92% approval rate in 2016, the trend remained steady before reaching 96% in the final year of the recorded data. With 1,975 total decisions on record, the judge maintained a stable pattern of allowance.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Blanton'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 Seattle hearing office
Michael C. Blanton's most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, with activity through September 2021. This office hosts a bench of 22 judges who have handled a wide variety of disability claims. You can expect a formal process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 93% on their since-2016 records. While these figures vary, the requirements for proving disability remain the same for every hearing.
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
Michael C. Blanton has a 93% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the high end of the 21% to 93% range seen among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Michael C. Blanton was steady, beginning at 92% in 2016 and concluding at 96% in 2021. This consistency across 1,975 decisions indicates a stable pattern of evaluation. An attorney can help you understand how this history might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI 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 to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 93% approval rate on record for Michael C. Blanton reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you review your medical file to ensure it meets the necessary standards.
