Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the data in context. Margaret A. Carey has a 44% approval rate across 3,370 decisions on record since 2016, which sits within the 41% to 82% range of the Chicago bench. In the most recent reporting period, her 48% approval rate compares to the 54% office-wide average. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your hearing, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than individual outcomes.
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, your judge's approval rate has fluctuated. After an initial period, the data shows a rise in 2020 followed by a period of relative stability. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 48% approval rate, which is slightly higher than her overall average since 2016. This recent pattern reflects her established decision-making trends.
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 manages a high volume of disability claims. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 54%. You can see the Chicago hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 82%. Preparation remains consistent regardless of your assigned judge.
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
Margaret A. Carey has a 44% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 41% to 82% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 34% in 2017 to a high of 54% in 2020. Most recently, the 2026 fiscal year-to-date rate is 48%. Understanding these trends can be part of your preparation, and an attorney can help you assess how your evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Regardless of your judge, an attorney can help you organize your medical evidence to ensure your case is ready.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
The 44% approval rate on record for Margaret A. Carey since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim.
