Approval rates
Comparing Norman Hemming to the broader Miami OHO bench provides context for your upcoming hearing. While the office-wide lifetime approval rates for all judges on record range from 32% to 83%, Norman Hemming's latest-period approval rate of 72% sits 9 points above the office's latest-period average of 63%. These figures are based on 2,689 lifetime decisions. 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 Hemming'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
Norman Hemming's record since 2017 shows a dynamic trend in approval rates. After an initial rate of 82% in 2017, the rate shifted through a period of lower approvals before trending upward in recent years, reaching 72% in the latest reporting period. This pattern reflects the evolving nature of his docket and the specific evidence presented in recent cases.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hemming'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.
About the Miami OHO hearing office
The Miami OHO serves you throughout Florida and the surrounding region. As one of 13 judges on record at this location, Norman Hemming contributes to a busy hearing office that maintains a latest-period approval rate of 63%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, 8 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. With lifetime approval rates across the office bench spanning from 32% to 83%, the specific judge you draw can influence the hearing environment.
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
Norman Hemming's latest-period approval rate of 72% is 9 points higher than the Miami OHO office-wide latest-period average of 63%. Because approval rates across the 13 judges on record at this office range from 32% to 83%, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific nuances of a hearing in this office.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After starting at 82% in 2017, the approval rate moved through a lower range between 2018 and 2021 before steadily climbing to 72% in 2026. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence required for your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process effectively random. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case file.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. Having an attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
Approval rates are historical data points and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Norman Hemming has approved 60% of cases over his 2,689 lifetime decisions, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to strengthen your position.