Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 58% approval rate for Jerome B. Blum reflects his record since 2016, which can be measured against the 36% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Blum. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Blum'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 Jerome B. Blum is based on 172 decisions on record since 2016. During this period, the data shows a consistent approval pattern at the Oak Park office. Because the record covers a specific window ending in 2016, the trend reflects the outcomes of cases decided during that timeframe.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Blum'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 Oak Park hearing office
The Oak Park hearing office serves you in Michigan and the surrounding region. This office has a bench of 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where your medical evidence and vocational testimony are evaluated against SSA standards. You can see the Oak Park Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 83% on their since-2016 records. While these rates vary, the fundamental requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Jerome B. Blum has an approval rate of 58% on his record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 36% to 83% observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The data for Jerome B. Blum covers his record from January 2016 through September 2016, during which he maintained a 58% approval rate across 172 decisions. Because this record is limited to that timeframe, it represents a stable snapshot of his past activity. An attorney can help you review your case to see how these historical patterns might relate to your specific evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily activities, pain levels, and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that may strengthen your claim.
