Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your judge's since-2016 approval rate of 45% provides a long-term view of his record, his latest-period approval rate of 53% offers a snapshot of more recent activity. These figures are best understood against the bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston North office, who collectively range from 34% to 64% on their since-2016 records.
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 Helget'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 January 2016, the approval rate for Thomas J. Helget has shifted from 36% in 2016 to 53% in 2026. This trend reflects a period of fluctuation followed by an upward trajectory in recent years. The latest-period approval rate of 53% is 3 points below the office rate of 56%, 3 points below the state rate of 56%, and 5 points below the national average of 58%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Helget'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 Houston North hearing office
The Houston North hearing office is the most recent office on record for Thomas J. Helget, with his last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 56%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Houston North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 34% to 64% on their records 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
Thomas J. Helget has an approval rate of 45% on his 5,329 decisions since 2016. This places him within the 34% to 64% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston North office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Thomas J. Helget has evolved over time, starting at 36% in 2016 and reaching 53% in 2026. While these trends provide context, they do not guarantee a specific outcome for your hearing. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Because you cannot influence this process, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your case and ensure your medical records are fully presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Thomas J. Helget has approved 45% of cases since 2016, your individual outcome depends on the specific medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific standards required for approval.
