Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes. While your judge's 30% approval rate reflects the full record since 2016, recent data shows a 32% approval rate in the latest period. This sits 23 points below the Seattle office's latest-period rate of 55%. These figures are based on 3,441 total decisions on record, providing a baseline for your analysis.
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 Erickson'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 rate for Allen G. Erickson has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching 37% in 2021, the rate saw a decline before stabilizing in recent years. The latest-period approval rate of 32% remains consistent with the historical trend observed since 2016. This pattern suggests that the approach to evidence and case requirements has remained steady over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Erickson'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 Seattle hearing office
Allen G. Erickson's most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, as of July 2026. This office serves claimants across the Washington region and maintains a bench of 22 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 55%, providing a point of comparison for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 93% 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
Judge Erickson's 30% approval rate since 2016 sits within a broader range of 21% to 93% for judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare a case that meets the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
The approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 30% in 2016 and reaching 30% in 2026. While the rate varies year-to-year, the overall pattern remains consistent with the 30% average observed across 3,441 total decisions. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to present the strongest possible case.
