Approval rates
The approval rate for Cheri L. Filion is based on 207 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, it is helpful to compare it against the broader bench at the Seattle hearing office, where since-2016 approval rates for judges range from 21% to 93%. This range highlights the variance in decision-making patterns across the office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Filion. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Filion'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
Cheri L. Filion's approval rate of 54% is derived from 207 decisions on record since 2016. Because SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, the specific judge assigned to your case is essentially random. Understanding this historical pattern provides context for your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Filion'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 Seattle hearing office
Cheri L. Filion's most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves you if you are in the Washington region and maintains a bench of 22 judges. You can expect a standard hearing process where your evidence quality remains the primary factor in any decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The Seattle hearing office includes 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. SSA assigns cases to these judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge assigned to your case is essentially random. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 93% 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
Cheri L. Filion has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 93% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Cheri L. Filion has remained 54% across the 207 decisions on record since 2016. If you are concerned about how this may impact your case, an attorney can help you review your evidence.
No. SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. Having an attorney can help you organize your records and prepare for the questions you may be asked.
The 54% approval rate for Cheri L. Filion reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
