Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Hill has a 60% approval rate on record since 2017, his latest-period approval rate is 55%. This latest figure compares to a 46% approval rate for the Macon hearing office, a 57% rate for Georgia, and a 58% national average. With 3,144 decisions on record, the data provides a stable look at past patterns. 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 Hill'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 trend for Hill has shifted over the years since 2017. After an initial high of 83% in 2017, the rate adjusted and has remained relatively steady, hovering between 52% and 56% in recent years. The latest-period approval rate of 55% is consistent with this recent pattern. This stability suggests a predictable approach to case evaluation, though the latest period reflects a continuation of the steady pattern seen since 2021.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hill'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 Macon hearing office
Hill's most recent office on record is the Macon hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across Georgia and is part of a regional network of hearing offices. The bench at this office includes 13 judges with varying approval rates, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 46%. You can see the Macon hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Macon
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Macon hearing office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 7 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among these judges range from 31% to 72% 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
Hill's latest-period approval rate of 55% is 9 percentage points higher than the 46% approval rate for the Macon hearing office. While this suggests a higher rate of favorable outcomes compared to the office average, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with this judge's patterns.
Yes, the rate has shifted from an 83% approval rate in 2017 to a more recent level of 55% in the latest reporting period. This change reflects a broader trend of stabilization over the 3,144 decisions on record. If you are concerned about how these changes might impact your hearing, an attorney can provide guidance on current case preparation.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having a strong, evidence-based case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing daily tasks. Having an attorney present can help you navigate these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
A judge's approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While Hill has a 60% approval rate on record since 2017, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration.
