Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 54% approval rate for K. Michael Foley reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 34% to 83% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus. These figures provide a statistical baseline for your case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Foley. 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 Foley'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 54% approval rate for K. Michael Foley is based on 85 decisions on record since 2016. Throughout the 2016 data window, the approval rate remained steady. Because this data reflects a specific period, it provides a historical view of how cases were handled. This pattern serves as one piece of context for your upcoming hearing, though the specific evidence in your file remains the most critical factor.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Foley'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 Columbus hearing office
The Columbus hearing office serves you and other claimants across Ohio and the surrounding region. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of medical evidence and testimony is paramount.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus
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 Columbus, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 34% to 83%. This variance highlights why preparation is essential regardless of the specific judge assigned to your case.
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
K. Michael Foley has an approval rate of 54% based on 85 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 34% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The 54% approval rate for K. Michael Foley is based on 85 decisions on record since 2016, during which the rate remained steady. Because this data covers a specific window, it reflects a consistent pattern from that time. A qualified attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to present the strongest possible case.
A judge's approval rate is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your specific outcome. While K. Michael Foley has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence that might impact your hearing.
