Approval rates
The 52% approval rate for Ann Farris reflects her decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 41% to 89% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your hearing, though aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your specific case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Farris. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Farris'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 Ann Farris has shown variation across the 1,561 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 53% in 2016, the annual figures were 59% in 2017, 53% in 2018, 47% in 2019, and 49% in 2020. This pattern indicates that the judge's decision-making has shifted over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Farris'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 Albuquerque hearing office
Ann Farris's most recent office on record is the Albuquerque hearing office, which serves claimants across New Mexico. This office maintains a bench of 14 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 and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albuquerque office, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 89% on their since-2016 records. Because case assignment is outside of your control, you should focus on preparing the strongest possible evidence for your specific claim.
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
Ann Farris has a 52% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 41% to 89% range of approval rates for the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for a hearing with this specific judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Ann Farris has fluctuated since 2016, moving from 53% in 2016 to 49% in 2020. These yearly variations are common in SSDI hearings as case mixes and evidence quality change. An attorney can help you analyze these trends for your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges randomly. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your evidence.
The 52% approval rate for Ann Farris is a historical average of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
