Approval rates
Evaluating a judge requires looking at their performance relative to their peers at the same office. Because the SSA assigns cases randomly, your experience depends on the specific judge drawn from the bench. With 2,298 decisions on record, the data for Kelley Day provides a clear picture of past activity compared to the 38% to 85% approval range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Day. 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 Day'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 trend for Kelley Day has shown shifts since 2016. While the rate remained between 48% and 49% for several years, there was an uptick to 55% in 2021 and 57% in 2022. The most recent data from 2023 and 2024 shows a decline in approvals, though these figures represent a smaller volume of cases. This pattern highlights how case mix and evidence quality can influence outcomes over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Day'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 New Orleans hearing office
Kelley Day's most recent office on record is the New Orleans hearing office, with decisions there through September 2024. This office serves claimants across Louisiana and the surrounding region. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you can expect a rigorous review of your medical documentation and vocational history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans, and their approval rates vary significantly across the bench. This variation is a standard feature of the hearing process, as each judge evaluates the unique medical evidence and testimony presented in their assigned cases.
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
Kelley Day has an approval rate of 49% based on 2,298 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 38% to 85% range of approval rates for the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is New Orleans. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated. After holding steady near 48% to 49% for several years, the rate rose to 57% in 2022 before declining in the most recent 2023 and 2024 data. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring that assignments remain random and impartial. Your focus should be on building a strong case with your attorney regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
The 49% approval rate on record since 2016 reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
