Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. While Glover has a 41% lifetime approval rate, her most recent reporting period shows a 48% approval rate. This sits against an office-wide lifetime range of 41% to 88% for all judges on record. These figures are derived from 3,370 lifetime decisions, providing a view of past activity.
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 Glover'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
Glover's record, spanning from 2016 to 2026, shows a varied approval trend. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2021, the data indicates a shift toward higher approval percentages in recent years. The latest reporting period reflects a continuation of this more recent pattern, diverging from the lower lifetime average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Glover'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 Covington GA hearing office
The Covington GA hearing office serves you throughout the region. With 15 judges on record, the office maintains a diverse bench with a latest-period approval rate of 64%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Covington GA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges on record at this office since 2016, 8 of whom reported in SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 88% on a lifetime basis.
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
Judge Glover's 48% approval rate in the latest period is 16 points lower than the office-wide latest-period average of 64%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns. After a period of lower approval rates in the late 2010s, the rate has trended upward in recent years, reaching 48% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical documentation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures the process remains impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your inability to work. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case.