Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 50% approval rate for Jerry Faust reflects his entire record since 2016, which we measure against the 40% to 79% range of his peers at the same office during that same period. This statistical spread provides a clearer picture of the local bench than national averages alone.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Faust. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Faust isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over one period, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Faust'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 Jerry Faust has fluctuated over the 1,647 decisions on record since 2016. After a 48% approval rate in 2016, the figures shifted to 53% in 2017, followed by 48% in 2018, 53% in 2019, and 51% through the final partial year of data in 2020. This pattern shows a consistent approach to case evaluation over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Faust'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 NHC St Louis hearing office
The NHC St Louis office serves the Missouri region. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical evidence and work history at this office.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC St Louis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and they demonstrate a wide range of approval rates from 40% to 79%. This variation highlights why understanding the local bench is important for your preparation.
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
Jerry Faust has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 40% to 79% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Jerry Faust has shown minor fluctuations, moving between 48% and 53% across the years on record. These variations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your daily limitations and why your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you ensure your testimony clearly addresses the legal standards for disability.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. While the 50% rate for Jerry Faust provides context, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to document your limitations. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to present the strongest possible case.
