Approval rates
When evaluating a judge's record, it is helpful to compare their performance against the broader bench at their most recent office. Jeffrey W. Hart maintains a 60% approval rate across 3,789 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 33% to 68% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis.
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 Hart'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 trend for Jeffrey W. Hart has fluctuated since 2016. After an initial period of higher approval rates, the data shows a shift in the middle years before returning to a 62% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest figure represents a 10-point increase over the office's latest-period average of 52%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hart'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 Minneapolis hearing office
Jeffrey W. Hart's most recent office on record is Minneapolis, which serves claimants throughout Minnesota. This office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 52%. Claimants appearing at this office can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis
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 Minneapolis. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 68% since 2016.
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
Jeffrey W. Hart has an approval rate of 60% since 2016, which is within the 33% to 68% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Minneapolis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Jeffrey W. Hart has varied over time, starting at 67% in 2016 and reaching 62% in the most recent reporting period. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases assigned to the bench. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot select your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong, evidence-based case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you meet the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to put your best case forward.
