Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your judge's overall record since 2017 shows a 28% approval rate, his latest-period approval rate is 29%. This latest figure sits 11 percentage points below the Springfield MO office average of 40%. With a docket of 3,635 decisions on record since 2017, the data provides a stable view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Hellums'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 Walter R. Hellums has fluctuated over the 3,635 decisions on record since December 2017. Following a peak of 33% in 2018, the rate reached a low of 19% in 2021 before experiencing a recent period of relative stability. The latest-period approval rate of 29% remains consistent with the broader trend observed in recent years. This pattern suggests that the judge's decision-making has maintained a steady approach throughout the current data window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hellums'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 MO hearing office
The Springfield MO hearing office is the most recent office on record for Walter R. Hellums, with activity documented through July 2026. This office serves claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent record is at this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 40%. You can see the Springfield MO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Springfield MO
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO hearing office, with 4 of them deciding cases here in the latest file period ending July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 25% to 60% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
Judge Hellums has an approval rate of 28% on his record since 2017. This sits within the 25% to 60% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Springfield MO hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Judge Hellums has seen year-to-year variance, moving from 33% in 2018 to 29% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. While these shifts occur, the rate has remained within a consistent range over his 3,635 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can review your case to see how these trends might impact your hearing 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 focus on building a strong case that meets the evidentiary requirements regardless of who is assigned.
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 limitations from the judge and potentially a vocational expert. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are clearly organized for the judge's review.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Judge Hellums' 28% rate since 2017 is one data point, but the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to demonstrate your limitations remain the most critical factors. An attorney can help you evaluate your case against the standards typically applied in these hearings.
