Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Sanya Hill-Maxion based on 2,056 decisions on record from 2016 through 2023. This figure is compared against the range of the 4 judges who decided cases at the Stockton Hearing Office in SSA's latest file, who show a range of 29% to 57% on their records since 2016. These statistics provide a broad view of past activity at this office.
Judge Hill-Maxion is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Hill-Maxion isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hill-Maxion'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
Sanya Hill-Maxion's record spans from 2016 through 2023, covering 2,056 total decisions. The approval rate was 90% in 2016, 84% in 2017, 75% in 2018, 82% in 2019, 84% in 2020, 87% in 2021, 79% in 2022, and 51% in 2023.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hill-Maxion'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 Stockton hearing office
Sanya Hill-Maxion's most recent office on record is the Stockton Hearing Office. This office has a bench of 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Stockton Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Stockton
The 4 judges who decided cases here in SSA's latest file range from 29% to 57% on their since-2016 records. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, 4 of whom decided cases here in SSA's latest file.
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
Sanya Hill-Maxion has an 82% approval rate on record from 2016 through 2023. This sits above the 29% to 57% range observed among the 4 judges who decided cases at the Stockton Hearing Office in SSA's latest file. An attorney can help you understand how these figures relate to your specific case.
Yes, the approval rate for Sanya Hill-Maxion has varied over the years on record, ranging from 90% in 2016 to 51% in 2023. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. The strength of your medical evidence and your testimony are the primary factors in your case. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim.
