Approval rates
The 50% approval rate for Jo Hoenninger reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 34% to 66% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland OR hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the judge's history. 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 Hoenninger. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hoenninger'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 Jo Hoenninger has remained relatively steady across the 2,973 decisions on record since January 2016. While yearly fluctuations occurred, such as the 54% rate in 2018 and the 45% rate in 2019, the judge's activity has consistently hovered near the 50% mark. The most recent data from 2024 shows a 48% approval rate, which reflects a continuation of this long-term pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hoenninger'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 Portland OR hearing office
The Portland OR hearing office serves you throughout the region. It is home to a bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Portland OR
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 Portland OR hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 66% 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
Jo Hoenninger has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 34% to 66% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Portland OR hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Jo Hoenninger has stayed relatively steady, with 50% of the 2,973 decisions on record since 2016 resulting in an allowance. While there is year-to-year variation, the judge's overall pattern has remained consistent. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
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 important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
