Approval rates
When reviewing the SSDI approval rate for Jeffrey A. Ferguson, it is helpful to compare his performance against the broader bench. While his overall rate on record since 2018 is 49%, the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah Hearing Office show a wide range of outcomes, from 36% to 81%. In the most recent reporting period, his 40% approval rate sits 14 points below the office average of 54%.
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 Ferguson'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 2,524 decisions on record for Jeffrey A. Ferguson since 2018 reveal a fluctuating trend. After an initial approval rate of 72% in 2018, the figures shifted in subsequent years. The most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 40% approval rate, which is lower than his long-term average. This recent period reflects a departure from the stability seen in 2024, suggesting that case-specific evidence remains the primary driver of outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ferguson'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 Savannah hearing office
The Savannah Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Georgia and is a key location for regional SSDI hearings. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a steady volume of activity. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 54%, providing a benchmark for the region.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Savannah
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah Hearing Office, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Because approval rates across this bench range from 36% to 81%, understanding the local context is helpful.
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
Jeffrey A. Ferguson has a 49% approval rate on record since 2018. This sits within the 36% to 81% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Savannah Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of the specific judge assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Jeffrey A. Ferguson has fluctuated over time, starting at 72% in 2018 and reaching 40% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. These shifts often reflect changes in the types of cases heard rather than a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, the Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, and you cannot choose your judge. Because assignment is random, it is vital to focus on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a robust case for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. 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 ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
