Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing, it is helpful to compare the judge's performance against the broader bench. Richard Hlaudy has maintained a 58% approval rate across 3,672 decisions on record since 2016, while the bench at this office ranges from 46% to 72%. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's 62% approval rate sits 1 point below the office average of 63%.
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 Hlaudy'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 Richard Hlaudy has shown notable shifts since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates between 2019 and 2022, the data shows a distinct upward trend starting in 2023, with the judge reaching a 66% approval rate in 2025. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, with recent activity remaining above the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hlaudy'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 Fargo hearing office
Richard Hlaudy's most recent office on record is the Fargo Hearing Office, which serves you across North Dakota. This office currently hosts a bench of 7 judges who manage a diverse caseload of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 63%, providing a benchmark for local outcomes.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fargo
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 46% to 72% 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
Richard Hlaudy has a 58% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 46% to 72% observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. An attorney can help you understand how to tailor your evidence to the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After hovering between 51% and 58% from 2017 to 2022, Richard Hlaudy saw an increase in approvals starting in 2023, reaching 66% in 2025. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the judge's current decision patterns.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. Because you cannot control your assignment, an attorney can help you ensure your case is ready for any judge.
The 58% approval rate for Richard Hlaudy is a summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you organize your records to give your case the best chance of success.
