Approval rates
The 26% approval rate for Michael D. Harbart reflects his total record since 2016. This should be viewed alongside the 25% to 76% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the same. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from past cases rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Harbart. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Harbart'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 Michael D. Harbart has shown variation across the 2,830 decisions on record since 2016. The rate fluctuated between 21% and 35% during this period, with a 29% approval rate in 2025 following a 35% approval rate in 2024. This trend indicates that your outcome depends on the specific evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harbart'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
Michael D. Harbart's most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office, with decisions there through September 2025. This office serves your area as part of a regional network. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office. Among these, the approval rates for cases decided since 2016 span from 25% to 76%.
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
Michael D. Harbart has an approval rate of 26% on his record since 2016. This sits within the 25% to 76% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Michael D. Harbart has fluctuated over time, starting at 21% in 2016 and reaching 29% in 2025. While there was a 35% approval rate in 2024, the overall pattern remains consistent with his long-term average. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment process. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence with an attorney is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case to ensure all relevant information is effectively presented.
The 26% approval rate on record for Michael D. Harbart is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Disability cases are decided based on the unique medical evidence and vocational factors you present. An attorney can help you prepare your case to ensure all relevant information is effectively presented to the judge.
