Approval rates
Since 2016, Mark S. Ferguson has maintained a 53% approval rate across 4,659 decisions. This sits within the 27% to 66% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock. In the most recent reporting period, the judge approved 60% of cases, which is 17 percentage points higher than the office average of 43%.
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 approval rate for Mark S. Ferguson has remained consistent since 2016. After starting at 50% in 2016, the rate reached 60% in the most recent partial fiscal year. With 4,659 total decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of how the judge has handled cases over the last decade.
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 Little Rock hearing office
The Little Rock hearing office serves you and other claimants across Arkansas. With 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office manages a diverse caseload with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 43%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus remains on the medical evidence and vocational factors presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 27% to 66% on their since-2016 records.
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
Mark S. Ferguson has a 53% approval rate on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 27% to 66% range observed among the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is Little Rock. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Mark S. Ferguson has remained steady, moving from 50% in 2016 to 60% in the most recent partial fiscal year. These numbers are based on a total of 4,659 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot select your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that meets the evidentiary standards regardless of who is assigned.
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 regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
The 53% approval rate for Mark S. Ferguson is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in any decision. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim before your hearing date.
