Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. Jason C. Earnhart's 45% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 34% to 83% range established by the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus. This statistical spread highlights why understanding the bench is helpful for your preparation. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Earnhart. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Earnhart'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 1,241 decisions on record for Jason C. Earnhart since 2016 show a downward trend in approval rates. The rate was 51% in 2016, 49% in 2017, 37% in 2018, and 10% in 2019. This pattern reflects the specific mix of cases and evidence presented during those years. Understanding these trends helps you prepare a more robust case, as the later years reflect a departure from the earlier, higher approval figures.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Earnhart'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 Columbus hearing office
Jason C. Earnhart's most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves claimants throughout the Ohio region and maintains a bench of 17 judges. When you appear at this office, the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus
The Social Security Administration 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 Columbus. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 34% to 83% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains 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
Jason C. Earnhart's 45% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the 34% to 83% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus. Because case assignment is random, you cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a decline in approval rates from 51% in 2016 to 10% by 2019. This trend highlights the importance of having a strong, evidence-based case regardless of historical patterns. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence with an attorney is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you present your evidence clearly to the judge.
The 45% approval rate on record since 2016 is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your file before your hearing.
