Approval rates
The data below compares the latest-period approval rate of 53% against the broader office, state, and national benchmarks. Across the Tampa OHO, individual judges show a wide variance in lifetime approval rates, ranging from 31% to 90%. These figures are derived from thousands of cases to provide a statistical view of past performance rather than a prediction for your individual hearing.
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 Dawkins'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, the record for John Dawkins shows a fluctuating trend in approval rates. After a period of lower approvals, the data indicates a shift toward higher rates in 2025 and 2026. With 3,724 total decisions on record, the volume of cases provides a view of how his approach has evolved. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent pattern, which may suggest changes in the types of evidence or case mix presented in his courtroom.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dawkins'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Tampa OHO hearing office
The Tampa OHO serves a significant population in Florida, maintaining a bench of 16 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 59%, providing a baseline for the region. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your disability claim. You can see the Tampa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
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, 11 of whom reported in the latest period. With lifetime approval rates across the bench spanning from 31% to 90%, the specific judge assigned to your case matters. You can see the Tampa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
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
In the latest reporting period, John Dawkins had an approval rate of 53%, which is 6 percentage points lower than the Tampa OHO office-wide average of 59%. Because approval rates vary significantly across the 16 judges on record at this office, an attorney can help you understand how to tailor your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows a dynamic trend. After reaching a low of 39% in 2023, his approval rate has seen an uptick, reaching 57% in 2025 and 53% in 2026. An attorney can help you evaluate how these shifts might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency and fairness. Since you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's lifetime approval rate of 49% is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your limitations. An attorney can help you build a stronger case to meet the specific requirements of your claim.