Approval rates
Steve Hanekamp has a 52% approval rate on record since June 2026. When viewed against the 30% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis, his position is consistent with the office's latest-period approval rate of 51%.
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 Hanekamp'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 June 2026, Steve Hanekamp has issued 290 decisions on record. His 52% approval rate reflects a steady pattern during this period, aligning closely with the broader office environment.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hanekamp'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 St Louis hearing office
The St Louis hearing office is the most recent office on record for 20 judges, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. The office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 51%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, from 30% to 78% on their records since 2016.
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
Steve Hanekamp has an approval rate of 52% on record since June 2026. This places him within the 30% to 78% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The data since June 2026 shows a steady 52% approval rate for Steve Hanekamp. This consistency suggests that his approach to evaluating disability claims has remained stable throughout the current reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might apply to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert will be present to discuss your ability to work. An attorney can help you ensure your testimony is clear and your evidence is presented effectively.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Steve Hanekamp's 52% rate provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in your case. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build a compelling claim.
