Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Andrew M. Emerson has a 51% approval rate on record since 2016, the broader bench at the Washington office shows a range of 29% to 85% for the same period. In the most recent reporting period, Andrew M. Emerson's 51% approval rate sits 12 points below the office average of 63%.
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 Emerson'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
Andrew M. Emerson has issued 2,939 decisions since 2016. The yearly trend shows fluctuation, with approval rates moving from 54% in 2016 to a low of 42% in 2021 before stabilizing near 50% in recent years. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, with the 51% rate remaining consistent with the historical average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Emerson'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 Washington hearing office
Andrew M. Emerson's most recent office on record is the Washington hearing office, as of July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 33 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 63%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Washington
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 33 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 85% on their records since 2016.
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
Andrew M. Emerson has a 51% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 29% to 85% range observed among the 33 judges whose most recent office on record is the Washington hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Andrew M. Emerson has seen variations, starting at 54% in 2016 and reaching 51% in the most recent reporting period. While the rate dipped in 2021, it has remained steady near 50% in recent years. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your hearing outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to build the strongest possible case.
