Approval rates
The 86% approval rate for Charles Bridges reflects all 1,162 decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 17% to 86% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg Hearing Office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bridges. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bridges'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 Charles Bridges has remained high across the 1,162 decisions on record since 2016. Yearly approval rates were 86% in 2016, 89% in 2017, 83% in 2018, 82% in 2019, 87% in 2020, 89% in 2021, and 95% in 2022.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bridges'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 Harrisburg hearing office
The Harrisburg Hearing Office is the most recent office on record for Charles Bridges as of September 2022. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. Within the Harrisburg Hearing Office, the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location range from 17% to 86% in their approval rates.
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
Charles Bridges has an 86% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the top of the 17% to 86% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Harrisburg Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge you draw.
The approval rate for Charles Bridges has remained steady throughout the record window of January 2016 to September 2022, with an 86% rate across 1,162 total decisions. An attorney can help you understand how your evidence aligns with these past patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony regarding your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence.
The 86% approval rate for Charles Bridges is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. The strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
