Approval rates
The approval rate for Paul T. Hebda is calculated based on 1,145 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2020. This figure represents the percentage of claims where benefits were granted. When reviewing these statistics, note that the Anchorage hearing office maintains a lifetime approval-rate range of 23% to 23% across its bench. 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 Hebda. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hebda'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 Paul T. Hebda has shown a steady pattern, beginning at 27% and moving through a period of 21% before reaching 26% in the final year of the available data. This trend reflects the consistent application of Social Security Administration guidelines over the course of 1,145 decisions. While yearly fluctuations occur, the overall pattern remains stable, suggesting a continuation of this established decision-making approach.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hebda'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the assignment process is essentially random. There is currently 1 judge on record at the Anchorage hearing office. Because the office-wide lifetime approval-rate range is 23% to 23%, you can expect a consistent standard of review regardless of the specific judge 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
The Anchorage hearing office has a limited bench with a lifetime approval-rate range of 23% to 23%. Because Paul T. Hebda sits at 23%, his record is consistent with the standards observed at this location. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to meet the requirements of this specific office.
Paul T. Hebda's approval rate has fluctuated between 21% and 27% over the course of his 1,145 lifetime decisions. These variations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard rather than shifts in judicial philosophy. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case regardless of historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency and impartiality. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
A 23% lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence remains the most important factor in a successful claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and ensure your evidence is presented effectively for your hearing.