Approval rates
The 61% approval rate for Robert J. Chavez covers his entire record since 2017. Within the Livonia MI office, the bench shows a range of approval rates from 44% to 74% on their respective records. These figures rely on a large volume of decisions to provide statistical context. 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 Chavez'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 January 2017, Robert J. Chavez has issued 3,061 decisions. His approval trend has fluctuated, reaching a 71% approval rate in the most recent reporting period. This latest figure is 13 percentage points above the office average. Such variations often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Chavez'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 Livonia MI hearing office
The Livonia MI hearing office serves claimants throughout the region. With a bench of 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an overall latest-period approval rate of 58%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your disability.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Livonia MI
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Livonia MI hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 44% to 74% since 2016.
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
Robert J. Chavez has an approval rate of 61% on his record since 2017. This sits within the broader range of 44% to 74% seen among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Livonia MI hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Robert J. Chavez has varied over time. While his overall rate since 2017 is 61%, his latest-period approval rate reached 71%. These shifts are common and may be influenced by the specific mix of cases assigned to his docket. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to focus on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for these questions.
The 61% approval rate for Robert J. Chavez is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how he will rule on your specific claim. 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 evaluate your case strengths.
