Approval rates
The approval rate for Jordan Garelick is calculated from 2,939 decisions on record since January 2016. When comparing this to the broader bench at the Chicago hearing office, where judges range from 41% to 82% in approval, the data provides a baseline for understanding past outcomes. In the most recent reporting period, your judge's approval rate was 39%, compared to the office-wide rate of 54%. These aggregate rates reflect historical trends rather than the specific outcome of your case.
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 Garelick'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
Since January 2016, Jordan Garelick has recorded 2,939 total decisions. Yearly approval rates have fluctuated, reaching a high of 53% in 2018 before shifting in recent years. The latest reporting period shows a 39% approval rate, which is lower than the long-term average on record. This recent pattern reflects a shift in decision-making outcomes compared to the earlier data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Garelick'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 Chicago hearing office
Jordan Garelick's most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. This office is home to 14 judges who have recorded decisions since 2016, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 54%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can visit the Chicago hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, and 8 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 82% since 2016. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is 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
Jordan Garelick has an approval rate of 46% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 41% to 82% seen among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While the rate was 46% in 2016, it reached 53% in 2018 and is 39% in the most recent reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge you might draw. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
Approval rates are statistical summaries of past decisions and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the assigned judge.
