Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record to their peers requires looking at lifetime data to ensure a fair assessment. Judge Bower maintains a 32% lifetime approval rate, which sits at the lower end of the 32% to 75% range observed among the 11 judges on record at the Providence hearing office since 2016. These figures are derived from a docket of 1,800 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bower. 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 Bower'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 Judge Bower has remained relatively steady throughout the record window starting in 2016. While annual rates fluctuated between 32% and 34% during the first four years, the data from 2020 shows a rate of 26%. This pattern reflects the judge's historical approach to evaluating disability evidence. Changes in case mix or evidence quality can influence annual outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bower'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 Providence hearing office
The Providence hearing office serves you throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding region. With 11 judges on record, the office manages a diverse caseload of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in any decision. See the Providence Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 75% over their respective careers. 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
Judge Bower has a lifetime approval rate of 32% across 1,800 decisions. This places her at the lower end of the 32% to 75% range seen among the 11 judges who have served at the Providence office since 2016. An attorney can help you prepare a case strategy that addresses the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Her approval rate was relatively consistent between 2016 and 2019, hovering between 32% and 34%. The 2020 data shows a rate of 26% across 272 decisions. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your hearing, an attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your medical evidence.
No. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you understand the hearing process regardless of your assignment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your individual outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that may strengthen your claim.