Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While William C. Grayson has an approval rate of 43% across all 3,407 decisions on record since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 46%. This latest figure sits 4 points below the Hattiesburg office average of 50%, 9 points below the Mississippi state average of 55%, and 12 points below the national average of 58%. These figures reflect past decisions rather than predictions for your 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 Grayson'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 approval rate for William C. Grayson has varied since 2016. After an initial period of fluctuation, the rate moved through a low of 37% in 2021 before reaching 45% in the most recent fiscal year. With 3,407 total decisions on record, the data provides a view of how cases have been approached over the last decade. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern as the judge addresses current case volumes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Grayson'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 Hattiesburg hearing office
William C. Grayson's most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Hattiesburg Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg office. Approval rates for these judges range from 25% to 76% on their records since 2016. Preparation remains consistent 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
William C. Grayson has a 43% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg office, approval rates range from 25% to 76%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. It reached a low of 37% in 2021 and has since trended toward 45% in the most recent fiscal year. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing by reviewing these trends.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot choose your judge, but you can work with an attorney to ensure your case is ready for any judge assigned to your hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. It is your opportunity to explain how your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 43% approval rate on record since 2016 represents a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your case before you appear before the judge.
