Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While the 46% approval rate since 2016 provides a long-term view, the latest-period data offers a snapshot of recent activity. The Jacksonville hearing office bench shows a wide range of outcomes, from 33% to 78% since 2016. These figures are based on 3,367 decisions on record. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Fitzgerald'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 Kelley Fitzgerald has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching 53% in 2016 and 58% in 2017, the rate shifted over time, reaching 41% in the 2026 partial-year data. These variations reflect changes in the types of evidence presented in your case and others like it.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fitzgerald'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 Jacksonville hearing office
Kelley Fitzgerald's most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office, which serves you across northern Florida. This office includes 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 51%, you can expect a review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office, and 10 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 78% on their records since 2016.
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
Kelley Fitzgerald has a 46% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 33% to 78% observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might influence your specific case strategy.
The approval rate for Kelley Fitzgerald has fluctuated over the years, starting at 53% in 2016 and moving to 41% in the most recent 2026 partial-year data. These shifts are common and can be influenced by changes in case mix or the quality of evidence submitted. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process essentially random. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation.
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 about your daily limitations, work history, and the specific reasons you cannot perform substantial gainful activity. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will face during this process.
An approval rate is a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While the 46% rate since 2016 provides context, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is presented in the best possible light.
