Approval rates
The data below compares the 27% lifetime approval rate of Thomas Cheffins against the 27% to 66% lifetime range of the other judges at the Little Rock office. In the most recent reporting period, his 23% approval rate sits below the office-wide 43% average. These figures are based on a large docket of 4,801 decisions, providing a statistically significant view of his history. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Cheffins'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 approval record for Thomas Cheffins has shown a varied trend, moving between a high of 32% in 2017 and a low of 23% in both 2024 and 2026. This pattern reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation. While the latest period shows a rate of 23%, the overall volume of 4,801 decisions suggests a stable decision-making framework.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cheffins'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 Little Rock hearing office
The Little Rock hearing office serves you throughout Arkansas and the surrounding region. With 16 judges on record, the office maintains a bench that handles a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 43%, which provides a local benchmark for understanding regional trends.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 8 of whom reported data in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 66% on a lifetime basis.
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
Thomas Cheffins has a lifetime approval rate of 27%, which sits at the lower end of the 27% to 66% range observed among the 16 judges on record at the Little Rock office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you determine how to best present your medical evidence to this specific judge.
The approval rate for Thomas Cheffins has fluctuated over his 4,801 decisions on record since 2016, ranging from 23% to 32% annually. This indicates a steady pattern of decision-making rather than a significant shift. An attorney can help you understand how these historical trends might relate to the current requirements of your claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific procedures and expectations of the judge you are assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to build a stronger case.