Approval rates
The approval rate for Peri Collins is based on 2,204 decisions rendered since 2016. When evaluating this figure, it is helpful to compare it against the broader bench at the Dallas Downtown hearing office, where peers range from 21% to 76% in their own since-2016 records. This range provides context for the judge's individual pattern, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Collins. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Collins'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 Peri Collins has shown fluctuation since 2016. After starting at 14% in 2016, the rate saw periods of variance, including a peak of 27% in 2020. The data shows 33% approval in 2023 and 2024, with a limited sample of 25 decisions in 2025 showing 44%. These shifts indicate that the judge's decision-making pattern is not static.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Collins'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 Dallas Downtown hearing office
Peri Collins's most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, with decisions there through September 2025. This office serves the Texas region and maintains a bench of 18 judges. You may experience varying approval outcomes depending on the specific evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas Downtown
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, with an approval-rate range of 21% to 76% across their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Peri Collins has an approval rate of 21% on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 21% to 76% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Peri Collins has fluctuated over time. While the rate was 14% in 2016, it reached 33% in 2023 and 2024. Understanding these trends is part of how a qualified 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 across hearing offices. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have an attorney who is prepared to present a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and limitations by the judge or a vocational expert. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are properly organized.
The 21% approval rate for Peri Collins reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you review your case to see if you have the necessary documentation to support your claim.
