Approval rates
The approval rates for Laura Chess are calculated based on 4,531 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing her latest-period approval rate of 68% to the MT Pleasant MI office average of 65%, she sits 3 percentage points higher. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how cases have been decided at this office.
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 Chess'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 rate for Laura Chess has shown a gradual upward trend. While the rate remained between 58% and 63% for much of the early record, recent years have seen higher approval figures. The latest-period approval rate of 68% remains consistent with this recent pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Chess'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 Mt Pleasant MI hearing office
The MT Pleasant MI hearing office is the most recent office on record for Laura Chess, with data extending through July 2026. This office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 65%. You can see the MT Pleasant MI Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mt Pleasant MI
Social Security Administration cases are assigned through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the MT Pleasant MI office, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 30% to 63% on their records 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
Laura Chess has an approval rate of 62% on her record since 2016. This sits within the range of 30% to 63% seen among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the MT Pleasant MI hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with these patterns.
Yes, the approval rate for Laura Chess has trended upward over time. While she maintained an approval rate near 59% in 2016, her latest-period approval rate is 68%. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards this judge expects.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared thoroughly for any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge reviews your medical and vocational evidence. You will likely testify about your limitations, and a vocational expert may be present to discuss your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Laura Chess has a 62% approval rate on record since 2016, your individual outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your specific work history. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
