Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. Percival Harmon's 45% approval rate on record since 2016 can be viewed alongside the 41% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. This docket of 51 decisions provides a look at past patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Harmon. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Harmon'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 45% approval rate for Percival Harmon is based on 51 decisions on record since 2016. During the 2016 window, the approval rate remained at 45% across the recorded decisions. This pattern reflects the judge's historical activity at the Chicago hearing office during that period. The data provides a view of past decision-making, which can help you understand the context of your upcoming hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harmon'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 Chicago hearing office
Percival Harmon's most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, with his last recorded decision there in September 2016. This office serves you if you are in the Chicago region. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office handles a range of disability claims. You can see the Chicago hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 82% on their since-2016 records. Because rates vary across the bench, understanding the broader office context is useful.
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
Percival Harmon has a 45% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 41% to 82% range of approval rates for the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Percival Harmon remained at 45% across the 51 decisions on record since 2016. This consistency provides a picture of past activity. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you determine the best way to present your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having a strong, well-documented case. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for your hearing before Percival Harmon.
