Approval rates
The approval rates for Catherine Harper are measured against the broader context of the Raleigh hearing office. Across the office's 17 judges on record, lifetime approval rates range from 27% to 74%. In the latest reporting period, Catherine Harper maintained an approval rate of 73%, which is 12 percentage points higher than the office average of 61%. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Harper'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 2016, the decision pattern for Catherine Harper has shown notable fluctuations. After starting with a 49% approval rate in 2016, the figures moved between 57% and 64% for several years before a recent shift. The latest period shows a 73% approval rate, marking a significant increase compared to the 51% seen in 2025. This recent uptick may reflect changes in case mix or the quality of evidence presented in the most recent docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harper'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 Raleigh hearing office
The Raleigh hearing office serves you throughout North Carolina and the surrounding region. The office maintains a diverse bench of 17 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence. For more information, see the Raleigh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 17 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest period. With lifetime approval rates ranging from 27% to 74% across the bench, the judge you are assigned can influence the process. Preparation remains consistent regardless of the specific judge assigned to your case.
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
Catherine Harper maintains a 60% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the office-wide range of 27% to 74%. In the latest reporting period, her 73% approval rate outperformed the office average of 61% by 12 percentage points. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
Yes, the approval rate for Catherine Harper has varied over her 3,663 decisions on record. While the rate remained relatively steady between 57% and 64% for several years, the most recent data shows a rise to 73%. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards this judge has applied recently.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an experienced attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney present can help you navigate these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and consistent with your medical records.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Catherine Harper's 60% lifetime rate provides context, the success of your claim depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare the necessary documentation to meet the burden of proof.