Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While Catherine Harper has an approval rate of 60% across all decisions since 2016, recent performance shows a 73% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 12 percentage points above the Raleigh office average of 61%. With 3,663 total decisions on record, the data provides a look at past trends.
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 approval rate for Catherine Harper has fluctuated. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 73% approval rate, compared to 51% in 2025. This latest-period performance reflects a shift from the long-term average, influenced by the specific cases and evidence presented. These patterns illustrate how the judge has approached cases over the last decade.
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 claimants across North Carolina and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, 17 judges have their most recent record at this location, which maintains an office-wide approval rate of 61% for the latest period. You can see the Raleigh hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Raleigh office, 10 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this group range from 27% to 74% on their since-2016 records.
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's 60% approval rate since 2016 falls within the range of 27% to 74% established by the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh. In the latest reporting period, Catherine Harper's 73% approval rate is 12 percentage points higher than the office average of 61%. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for a hearing before this specific judge.
Yes, the approval rate has varied over time. While the rate was 49% in 2016, it reached 73% in the most recent 2026 data. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific mix of cases and evidence presented during each period. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
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 strength of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for your hearing.
