Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Hamner has a 52% approval rate since 2016, recent data shows a 62% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 8 points above the Fort Worth office average of 54%, 6 points above the Texas state average of 56%, and 4 points above the national average of 58%. These figures reflect recent trends rather than the judge's entire record.
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 Hamner'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, Hamner's approval trend has shown an upward trajectory. After starting at 42% in 2016, the annual approval rate has climbed, reaching 64% in 2025 and holding at 62% during the partial 2026 fiscal year. This pattern indicates a shift in decision outcomes over the last decade, suggesting that your current hearing environment differs from the earlier years of the recorded window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hamner'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 Fort Worth hearing office
The Fort Worth hearing office serves claimants across Texas. With 15 judges on the bench, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 54%. You can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational history at this location. You can see the Fort Worth Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Worth
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office. Approval rates among this bench range from 32% to 63% since 2016. Your 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
Hamner's 52% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 32% to 63% range observed among the 15 judges at the Fort Worth office. In the latest reporting period, Hamner's 62% approval rate is 8 points higher than the office average of 54%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend. Hamner's approval rate began at 42% in 2016 and has risen to 62% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you evaluate how this history might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history by the judge or a vocational expert. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee for your specific hearing. While Hamner's 52% rate since 2016 provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you review your case file to see if you meet the necessary criteria for approval.
