Approval rates
This table compares the approval performance of Kate Dana against the broader context of the Providence hearing office. By looking at the 1,254 lifetime decisions on record since 2022, you can see how her approval frequency aligns with the office-wide lifetime range of 32% to 75%. Latest-period data also provides a snapshot of recent trends compared to office, state, and national averages.
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 Dana'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 record for Kate Dana shows an upward trend in approval frequency since 2023. Starting at 48% in 2023, the approval rate rose to 61% in 2024 and reached 65% in the latest reporting period. This pattern reflects a consistent approach to evaluating evidence over the 1,254 total decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dana'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 Providence hearing office
The Providence hearing office serves you if you are in Rhode Island and the surrounding region. With 11 judges on record, this office maintains a steady volume of hearings to manage the local caseload. The office-wide latest approval rate is 57%, providing a baseline for the region.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 75% 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
Kate Dana has a lifetime approval rate of 60% across 1,254 decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 32% to 75%. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with the expectations of judges in this office.
Yes, the data shows a positive trend. After an approval rate of 48% in 2023, the rate increased to 61% in 2024 and reached 65% in the most recent period. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards of this judge.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.