Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. This judge's 61% approval rate on record since 2016 is evaluated against the 28% to 65% range of the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how past cases have been decided at this location.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Heyer. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Heyer'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 John Heyer was 57% in 2016, 64% in 2017, and 45% in 2018. These 866 total decisions on record since 2016 illustrate a period of activity that shifted over time. The data reflects the outcomes of cases as they were processed during this window, highlighting how case mix and evidence quality can influence outcomes from one year to the next.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Heyer'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 San Francisco hearing office
The San Francisco hearing office serves you in California and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in September 2018, this office maintained a bench of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Francisco
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 65% on their since-2016 records.
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
John Heyer has an approval rate of 61% on record since 2016. This sits within the 28% to 65% range of the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Francisco hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for John Heyer was 57% in 2016, 64% in 2017, and 45% in 2018. These fluctuations are common in SSDI case law and often depend on the specific evidence presented in each case. An attorney can help you evaluate your claim's strengths.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and functional limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for these questions.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. While John Heyer approved 61% of cases on record since 2016, your result depends on your specific medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a case tailored to the requirements of the SSA.
