Approval rates
The approval rates for Michael Hellman reflect a docket of 3,295 decisions since 2016. When comparing these figures, consider the bench as a whole; the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA office range from 42% to 77% in their approval rates. Latest-period data shows the judge at 42%, compared to 61% for the office, 59% for the state, and 58% nationally. These figures represent a snapshot of recent activity rather than a long-term trend.
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 Hellman'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 Michael Hellman has fluctuated, showing a period of higher approvals between 2017 and 2020 before trending lower. With 3,295 total decisions on record, the data provides a look at these shifts. While the latest period shows a 42% approval rate, the yearly trend highlights how the judge's approach has evolved. The 2026 fiscal year-to-date figure of 45% reflects the most recent partial data.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hellman'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 Springfield MA hearing office
The most recent office on record for Michael Hellman is the Springfield MA hearing office, with recorded decisions through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 61%, providing context for the local hearing environment. You can see the Springfield MA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Springfield MA
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA office, with 5 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 42% to 77% on their records since 2016. Preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Michael Hellman has an approval rate of 45% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 42% to 77% observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MA office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Michael Hellman has varied over time. After reaching a peak of 58% in 2019, the rate saw a decline in subsequent years, though the 2026 fiscal year-to-date data shows a rate of 45%. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are clearly organized for the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Michael Hellman has a 45% approval rate since 2016, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
