Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes. While the overall approval rate on record since 2017 is 51%, recent data shows a 59% approval rate during the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 5 points above the Metairie office average of 54% and 1 point above the national average of 58%. These statistics are derived from a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable basis for analysis.
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 Hansen'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 Holly Hansen has shown an upward trend since 2017. While the rate hovered in the 43% to 45% range between 2018 and 2020, it has climbed in recent years, reaching 62% in 2025. The latest reporting period shows a 59% approval rate. This recent pattern reflects a shift in decision-making, though your case outcome always depends on the specific medical evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hansen'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 Metairie hearing office
The Metairie Hearing Office serves you if you are in the region and is part of a broader network. With 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 54%. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Metairie
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 whose most recent office on record is the Metairie office. Approval rates for this bench range from 24% to 54% on their records since 2016. 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
Judge Hansen's latest-period approval rate of 59% is 5 percentage points higher than the Metairie office average of 54%. Because case assignment is random, you cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has trended upward over time. After starting at 48% in 2017 and dipping to 43% in 2018 and 2019, the rate has risen to 59% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your work history and limitations. Working with an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for these questions.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how a judge will rule in your specific hearing. While it provides context for the judge's history, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical documentation of your disability. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively.
