Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 58% approval rate for William H. Hauser reflects his entire record since 2016, which you can compare against the 18% to 59% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Richmond. With 1,970 decisions, the data provides a stable 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 Hauser. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hauser'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 William H. Hauser has shown fluctuations over the years, beginning at 54% in 2016 and reaching 65% in 2017. Following these years, the rate moved to 55% in 2018, rose to 64% in 2019, and settled at 56% and 57% in 2020 and 2021 respectively. This pattern indicates that while the rate has shifted, it has remained within a consistent range throughout the period. These variations often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hauser'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 Richmond hearing office
The Richmond hearing office serves you if you are in Virginia and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, 13 judges have their most recent office on record at this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on the specific medical and vocational evidence you present. You can see the Richmond hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Richmond hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 18% to 59%. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
William H. Hauser's approval rate of 58% is within the 18% to 59% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Richmond. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate for William H. Hauser has fluctuated between 54% and 65% over the years on record. These shifts are common and often depend on the specific mix of cases a judge reviews. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
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. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face.
The 58% approval rate for William H. Hauser is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
