Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Pearline Hardy's 60% approval rate on record since 2017 provides a baseline, while her latest-period approval rate of 66% sits 22 points above the office average of 44%. These figures are drawn from a volume of 2,373 decisions. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Hardy'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 December 2017, Pearline Hardy has issued 2,373 decisions. Her approval rate has fluctuated over time, including a 66% approval rate in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This latest-period performance represents a shift compared to her historical average. The recent trend reflects a varied pattern, which may be influenced by changes in case complexity or the specific evidence you present in your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hardy'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 Topeka KS hearing office
Pearline Hardy's most recent office on record is the Topeka KS hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the region, maintaining an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 44%. You can expect a standardized hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS
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 this one. Approval rates across this bench range from 24% to 60% on their records since 2016. For your preparation, the guidance 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
Pearline Hardy's latest-period approval rate of 66% is 22 percentage points higher than the Topeka KS office average of 44%. While this data provides insight into past decisions, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Pearline Hardy's approval rate has seen fluctuations over her 2,373 decisions on record since December 2017. While she recorded a 66% approval rate in the partial 2026 fiscal year, her historical average remains 60%. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and strengthen your case.
