Approval rates
Comparing an approval rate requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 49% approval rate for Mary L. Everstine is based on 1,935 decisions recorded since 2016. This figure sits within the 35% to 82% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Santa Barbara hearing office. 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 Everstine. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Everstine'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 Mary L. Everstine has fluctuated across the 1,935 decisions on record since 2016. After reaching a peak of 60% in 2020, the annual approval rate saw a decline to 36% in 2022 before showing signs of recovery in 2023 and 2024. These variations often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented. The recent data suggests a return toward the historical average after the 2022 low.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Everstine'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 Santa Barbara hearing office
Mary L. Everstine's most recent office on record is the Santa Barbara hearing office, with records through September 2024. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and is staffed by a bench of 7 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. If you are appearing at this office, you should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical evidence. You can see the Santa Barbara Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Santa Barbara
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Santa Barbara hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 35% to 82% on their since-2016 records. While the specific judge matters, the core requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench. For preparation purposes, the guidance is 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
Mary L. Everstine has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 35% to 82% range of the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Santa Barbara hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Mary L. Everstine has varied over time, ranging from a high of 60% in 2020 to 36% in 2022, based on 1,935 decisions on record. Recent data from 2023 and 2024 shows a return toward the historical average. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends 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 to judges at the hearing office. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge you might draw. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
The 49% approval rate for Mary L. Everstine is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of the judge assigned.
