Approval rates
Comparing Judge Blount's performance requires looking at both her long-term record and recent activity. Her 61% lifetime approval rate sits within the broader 33% to 85% range observed across the Washington bench. In the most recent reporting period, she maintained an 84% approval rate, which is 21 percentage points higher than the office-wide average of 63%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your case, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your hearing.
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 Blount'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
Judge Blount's record, spanning 2,837 lifetime decisions since 2017, shows an upward trend in recent years. After a period of lower approval rates between 2019 and 2021, the data indicates a rise in favorable outcomes. By 2026, her approval rate reached 84%, marking a shift from her earlier career averages. This trajectory reflects a change in the volume or nature of cases handled, representing a departure from her previous decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Blount'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 Washington hearing office
The Washington hearing office serves claimants throughout the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. As a busy hub in the region, it maintains a bench of 19 judges on record. The office currently reports an average approval rate of 63% for the latest period. You can see the Washington Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Washington hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Judge Blount is effectively random. There are 19 judges on record at this office since 2016, 14 of whom reported in the latest SSA data period. Because approval rates across the office vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 85%, understanding the local bench is a standard part of case 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
In the latest reporting period, Judge Blount's 84% approval rate is 21 percentage points higher than the 63% office-wide average. While this indicates a higher rate of favorable decisions recently, every case is unique. An attorney can help you determine how to present your medical evidence to best fit the expectations of this specific judge.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend. After hovering near 49% to 55% in earlier years, her approval rate has climbed, reaching 84% in 2026. This shift highlights the importance of having current, relevant medical documentation to support your claim. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure fairness and efficiency. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and often a vocational expert appear before the judge. The judge will ask questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly organized.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of their past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Judge Blount's 61% lifetime approval rate provides context, your specific medical evidence and how it aligns with SSA regulations are what ultimately determine your eligibility. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths in light of these statistics.