Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing prospects, it is helpful to look at the broader context of the Alexandria bench. The 26% approval rate for Janet Hollings is based on 167 decisions on record since 2017. This figure can be compared against the range of 26% to 67% observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hollings. The most recent period with decisions on record is November 24, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hollings'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 Janet Hollings has remained steady across the 167 decisions on record since January 2017. The data shows a consistent pattern, with an approval rate of 26% in 2017 and 27% in 2018. This stability suggests that the judge's approach to evaluating evidence has been uniform over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hollings'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 Alexandria hearing office
Janet Hollings's most recent SSA record (November 2017) is at the Alexandria hearing office. This office is part of a regional network that handles disability claims. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office-wide latest approval rate is 55%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Alexandria
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 26% to 67% on their since-2016 records. Because approval rates vary across this bench, understanding the local environment is a standard part of your case 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
Janet Hollings has an approval rate of 26% based on 167 decisions on record since 2017. This is at the lower end of the 26% to 67% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Janet Hollings has remained steady, moving from 26% in 2017 to 27% in 2018. This indicates a consistent decision-making pattern over the 167 decisions on record. If you are concerned about how this pattern affects your claim, an attorney can help you review your medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the possibility of appearing before any judge at the hearing office.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
An approval rate is a statistical reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your specific outcome. While Janet Hollings has a 26% approval rate on record, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
