Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 62% approval rate for Gregory Holiday reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 36% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park. With 930 decisions on record, this data provides a look at past performance.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Holiday. 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 Holiday'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 Gregory Holiday has shown variation across the 930 decisions on record since 2016. The data shows a 65% approval rate in 2016, 63% in 2017, and 53% in 2018. These fluctuations are common in SSDI hearings and may reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the specific evidence presented during those years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Holiday'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 Oak Park hearing office
Gregory Holiday's most recent office on record is the Oak Park hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves the surrounding region in Michigan and is part of a larger network of hearing offices that handle disability claims. The bench at this location includes 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this one.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 36% to 83%. This variation highlights why understanding the specific bench is important for your preparation.
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
Gregory Holiday has a 62% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 36% to 83% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in the approval rate over time. The rate was 65% in 2016, 63% in 2017, and 53% in 2018 across 930 total decisions. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews the evidence of your disability. You will likely testify about your symptoms and limitations, and a vocational expert may provide testimony regarding your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
The 62% approval rate for Gregory Holiday is a measure of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence and strengthen your claim.
