Approval rates
We evaluate Jonathan Eliot's 30% approval rate against the 17% to 70% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office. With 213 decisions on record since 2016, the data provides a clear view of past activity. 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 Eliot. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Eliot'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 30% approval rate for Jonathan Eliot is based on 213 decisions on record since 2016. During 2016, the approval rate remained at 30%. This data provides a consistent look at how the judge approached cases during that time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Eliot'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 Cleveland hearing office
The Cleveland hearing office maintains a bench of 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. This office operates within the broader SSA framework, where approval rates vary between individual judges. If you are scheduled here, focus on the quality of your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 70% on their since-2016 records. While you cannot choose your judge, understanding the office-wide bench helps you prepare for the hearing process.
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
Jonathan Eliot has a 30% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 17% to 70% range of approval rates for the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Jonathan Eliot has remained at 30% based on the 213 decisions on record since 2016. Understanding these historical patterns is a key part of building your case strategy. An attorney can help you evaluate how this information applies to your specific situation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony regarding your ability to work. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and past work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to present the strongest case possible.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a successful outcome. An attorney can help you review your case and prepare for the hearing.
