Approval rates
The approval rate for Jacqueline Y. Hall-Keith is calculated from 2,082 lifetime decisions. This figure sits at the top end of the Oak Park office-wide lifetime range of 36% to 83%. Because cases are assigned randomly, understanding how this rate compares to the broader bench helps you set expectations for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hall-Keith. 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 Hall-Keith'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 record for Jacqueline Y. Hall-Keith shows a consistent pattern of approvals. While yearly fluctuations occur, the overall trend remains strong, with performance in 2024 showing an 88% approval rate. This stability across 2,082 decisions suggests a predictable approach to evaluating evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hall-Keith'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 Oak Park hearing office
The Oak Park hearing office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a diverse bench of 20 judges on record. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 66%, the environment is shaped by a high volume of complex disability claims. You can expect a formal process where thorough medical evidence is the primary driver of success.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 20 judges on record at this office since 2016. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 36% to 83% on their lifetime records.
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
Jacqueline Y. Hall-Keith holds an 83% lifetime approval rate, which is at the high end of the 36% to 83% range seen among the 20 judges on record at the Oak Park office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to align with the standards of this specific bench.
Her approval rate has remained relatively steady over her 2,082 decisions on record since 2016. While there are yearly variations, such as the 75% rate in 2023 and the 88% rate in 2024, the long-term pattern is consistent. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific evidentiary requirements this judge looks for.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. Your focus should be on building a strong case that meets the criteria for disability regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure you clearly communicate your limitations to the judge.
A high approval rate like the 83% lifetime record of Jacqueline Y. Hall-Keith indicates that she frequently finds claimants disabled based on the evidence presented. However, every case is unique, and your outcome depends on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.