Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 46% approval rate for M. Hart reflects a volume of 2,098 decisions on record since 2016. Within the Jacksonville hearing office, the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a range of approval rates from 33% to 78%.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hart. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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 rate for M. Hart has fluctuated since 2016. After starting at 41% in 2016, the rate reached 53% in 2020 before adjusting to 46% in 2021 and 55% in 2022. With 2,098 total decisions on record, the data provides a view of past activity. These variations in yearly approval rates often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented during those periods.
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 Jacksonville hearing office
The Jacksonville hearing office maintains a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. This office operates within the broader SSA framework. You should focus on presenting comprehensive medical evidence to support your specific disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville
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 Jacksonville hearing office. Approval rates among this bench vary, ranging from 33% to 78%.
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
M. Hart's approval rate of 46% sits within the range of 33% to 78% observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, an attorney can help you prepare a case tailored to the standards of this office.
The approval rate for M. Hart has shown movement over the years, starting at 41% in 2016 and reaching 55% in 2022. These fluctuations are common and may be influenced by the types of cases assigned or changes in medical evidence requirements. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific situation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring that assignments remain random and impartial. An attorney can help you prepare regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how M. Hart will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you review your file to ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
