Approval rates
The approval rate for James F. Gillet is 37% based on 2,017 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 25% to 60% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO hearing office. Comparing these figures helps provide a statistical baseline for the office bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gillet. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gillet'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 2016, the approval rate for James F. Gillet has varied, moving from 31% in 2016 to a peak of 50% in 2023 before settling at 45% in 2024. This trend reflects a shift in outcomes over the 2,017 decisions on record. These patterns may reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gillet'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 Springfield MO hearing office
The most recent office on record for James F. Gillet is the Springfield MO hearing office, with his last recorded decision dated September 2024. This office serves you and other claimants across the region, maintaining a bench of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Springfield MO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 25% to 60%.
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
James F. Gillet holds a 37% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 25% to 60% range of the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for James F. Gillet has fluctuated over the years, starting at 31% in 2016 and reaching 50% in 2023. This trend is based on 2,017 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you build a strong case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any ALJ. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
The 37% approval rate for James F. Gillet reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most significant factor in the outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
