Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. While Margaret A. Carey maintains a 44% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period performance shows a 48% approval rate, which sits 6 points below the current 54% office-wide average. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 3,370 lifetime decisions, providing a clear view of her historical decision-making patterns.
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 Carey'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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Margaret A. Carey has shown fluctuations, moving from 40% in 2016 and 34% in 2017 to a peak of 54% in 2020. Following that period, the rate shifted to 44% in 2021, 45% in 2022, 43% in 2023, 51% in 2024, 52% in 2025, and 48% in the latest reporting period. With 3,370 total decisions on record, this trend suggests a judge whose approach adapts to the evidence presented in each case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Carey'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 Chicago hearing office
The Chicago hearing office serves you if you are in the Illinois region. It is staffed by a bench of 16 judges on record, maintaining an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 54%. You can see the Chicago Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Chicago hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment is effectively random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 82% over their respective lifetimes.
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
The 44% lifetime approval rate for Margaret A. Carey sits within the broader office range of 41% to 82%. While her latest-period rate is 6 points lower than the 54% office average, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated, ranging from 34% in 2017 to 54% in 2020. With 3,370 lifetime decisions on record, these shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases assigned. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case that meets the evidentiary standards of any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a prediction of your outcome. Margaret A. Carey has approved 1,486 cases out of 3,370 lifetime decisions. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the specific nuances of your hearing.