Approval rates
The 57% approval rate for John Clady reflects all decisions on record since February 2023. This figure sits within the broader range of 28% to 72% observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Clady. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Clady'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
The approval rate for John Clady has shown variation across the 155 decisions on record since February 2023. In 2023, your approval rate was 54% over 150 decisions, followed by a 71% approval rate over 35 decisions in 2024. This recent shift reflects changes in the types of cases heard or the evidence presented in your hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Clady'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 Phoenix North hearing office
John Clady's most recent office on record is the Phoenix North hearing office, with decisions there through September 2024. This office serves the Arizona region and maintains a bench of 12 judges. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 72%. While these figures provide context for the office, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing.
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
John Clady has an approval rate of 57% based on 155 decisions on record since February 2023. This falls within the 28% to 72% range seen among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for John Clady has fluctuated. It was 54% in 2023 and rose to 71% in 2024. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned.
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 work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
The 57% approval rate for John Clady is a statistical observation of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific case. Your success depends on the medical evidence and the strength of your claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
