Approval rates
Comparing Amber Downs to the broader Tampa OHO bench highlights the variance in decision-making across the office. While the lifetime approval rate is 31%, the office-wide lifetime range spans from 31% to 90%. In the most recent reporting period, the 40% approval rate sits 19 points below the office average of 59%. These figures are based on a volume of 3,076 lifetime decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions 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 Downs'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 record for Amber Downs has remained relatively steady, with yearly rates hovering near the 30% mark for much of the period since 2016. While the rate dipped to 24% in 2020, it has since stabilized, showing a recent uptick to 40% in the latest reporting period. This pattern suggests a consistent approach to case evaluation. The data provides a clear view of how cases have been handled over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Downs'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 Tampa OHO hearing office
The Tampa OHO serves you across Florida, operating as a central hub for disability hearings in the region. The office maintains a diverse bench of 16 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 59%. You can expect a review process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in any decision. You can see the Tampa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
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 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 90% on a lifetime basis. 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
Amber Downs has a lifetime approval rate of 31%, which sits at the lower end of the 31% to 90% range seen among the 16 judges on record at the Tampa OHO. Because every judge has a unique approach, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Amber Downs has been relatively steady, generally remaining near 30% since 2016. While there was a temporary decline in 2020, the most recent data shows an approval rate of 40%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the current evidence requirements for your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is decided on its own merits and the strength of the medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare the necessary documentation to support your claim.