Approval rates
The 29% approval rate for Helen E. Hesse reflects her decisions on record since 2016. This can be evaluated against the 19% to 68% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office. These figures are based on 441 decisions on record since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hesse. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hesse'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 Helen E. Hesse has remained within a specific range across the 441 decisions on record since 2016. The data shows an approval rate of 29% in 2016 and 32% in 2017. This trend indicates a consistent pattern of decision-making during the period covered.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hesse'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 Orange hearing office
The Orange hearing office is the most recent office on record for 12 judges, reflecting the office's capacity to manage a significant volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal process where evidence quality and medical documentation are the primary drivers of your hearing outcome. You can see the Orange hearing office page for the full roster of judges.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orange
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 the Orange hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 19% to 68% on their since-2016 records. These statistics provide context but do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing.
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
Helen E. Hesse has an approval rate of 29% based on 441 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 19% to 68% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orange hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Helen E. Hesse was 29% in 2016 and 32% in 2017. This indicates a steady pattern of decision-making during the period of her record at the Orange hearing office. If you are concerned about how your case will be handled, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your case. You will likely be asked questions about your medical conditions and your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you strengthen your case and navigate the hearing process effectively.
