Approval rates
Judge Embree's approval rate is evaluated against the latest performance metrics for the Atlanta Downtown Hearing Office, the state of Georgia, and national averages. While the office currently reports a 64% approval rate, Judge Embree's lifetime performance remains notably higher. These figures are derived from a substantial docket of 14,610 lifetime decisions, providing a clear statistical baseline. 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 Embree'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
Over a 6-year tenure, Judge Embree has demonstrated a consistent approach to disability adjudication. While the approval rate remained high during the early years, recent data shows a shift, with the 2021 rate at 76% compared to the 91% peak in 2018. This trend reflects a gradual adjustment in decision outcomes over time. The latest period indicates a departure from the earlier, higher-volume years, which may be influenced by changes in the complexity of cases or evolving evidentiary standards.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Embree'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.
Hearing with Judge Embree? A free benefit check tells you if you qualify.
Check My BenefitsAbout the Atlanta Downtown hearing office
The Atlanta Downtown Hearing Office serves a large population across Georgia, managing a high volume of SSDI claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office currently maintains an average approval rate of 64%. You should be prepared for a formal process that prioritizes medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can see the Atlanta Downtown Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. At the Atlanta Downtown Hearing Office, approval rates among the 6-judge bench vary significantly, ranging from 23% to 86%. This variance highlights why preparation is essential regardless of your specific assignment. You can find more information on the office's general operations on the Atlanta Downtown Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.