Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. Stacy Gray's latest-period approval rate of 67% stands 20 points above the Florence office's latest-period average of 47%. These figures, drawn from 611 lifetime decisions, provide a stable view of the judge's record. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Gray'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 2023, Stacy Gray has presided over 611 decisions. The yearly trend shows an approval rate of 88% in 2024, 70% in 2025, and 67% in 2026. This indicates a shift in the approval pattern over the most recent reporting periods. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, which may be influenced by changes in the types of cases or the quality of evidence presented in recent hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gray'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 Florence hearing office
The Florence hearing office serves you across Alabama and the surrounding region. With 9 judges on record, the office maintains a diverse bench with a wide range of approval outcomes. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 47%. You can see the Florence Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges on record at this office since 2016, 6 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 76% on a lifetime basis. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Stacy Gray's latest-period approval rate of 67% is 20 points higher than the Florence office's latest-period average of 47%. While this provides context, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
The data shows an approval rate of 88% in 2024, 70% in 2025, and 67% in 2026. This trend reflects the judge's recent decision patterns. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your case to ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your hearing. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case.