Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Nicole S. Forbes-Schmitt has a 54% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period approval rate of 57% sits 9 points above the Charleston SC office average of 48%. These figures rely on a robust docket of 3,535 lifetime decisions, providing a stable view of her decision-making history. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific 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 Forbes-Schmitt'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 record for Nicole S. Forbes-Schmitt spans from 2016 to 2026, showing a steady pattern of approvals. Her yearly approval rates have fluctuated between 50% and 61% over the last decade, reflecting a consistent approach to case evaluation. The latest period shows a 57% approval rate, which remains in line with her long-term performance. This trend suggests a stable decision-making environment for you as you prepare for your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Forbes-Schmitt'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Charleston SC hearing office
The Charleston SC hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region, managing a diverse caseload of disability applications. With 15 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 48%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Charleston SC hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 15 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 17% to 87% on lifetime records. You can find more information on the office's overall performance on the Charleston SC hearing office page.
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
Nicole S. Forbes-Schmitt's latest-period approval rate of 57% is 9 points higher than the Charleston SC office average of 48%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific judge.
Her approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016, with yearly fluctuations between 50% and 61%. This consistency provides a reliable baseline for understanding her decision patterns. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case based on these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your 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 organize your medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.