Approval rates
Evaluating an approval rate requires looking at the volume of work. With 3,045 decisions on record since 2016, Kari Deming provides a significant data set for analysis. When compared to the 36% to 83% approval range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park, this figure offers context for how different adjudicators approach disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Deming. 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 Deming'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 Kari Deming has shown variation since 2016. After starting at 57% in 2016, the rate fluctuated before reaching 76% in 2021 and 76% in 2025. This pattern suggests an approach to evidence that has evolved over the 3,045 decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Deming'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 Oak Park hearing office
Kari Deming's most recent office on record is the Oak Park hearing office, as of September 2025. This office serves the surrounding region in Michigan and maintains a bench of 19 judges. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is the Oak Park hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 83%. Because individual judicial philosophies vary, understanding the broader bench is helpful for your preparation.
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
Kari Deming has an approval rate of 67% across 3,045 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 36% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has shifted over time, moving from 57% in 2016 to 76% in 2025. These fluctuations are common in judicial dockets, and an attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. Having a qualified attorney can help you organize your records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 67% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and an attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim.
