Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. Wendy Hollingsworth's 49% approval rate on record since 2017 provides a baseline when viewed against the 25% to 76% range of peers at the Hattiesburg office. In the most recent reporting period, her 55% approval rate sits 5 percentage points above the office average of 50%. These figures rely on a volume of 2,857 decisions on record.
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 Hollingsworth'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 Wendy Hollingsworth has shown movement since the record began in December 2017. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2019, the data indicates a shift toward higher approval percentages in 2024 and 2025. The most recent fiscal year-to-date figure of 55% suggests the rate remains elevated compared to the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hollingsworth'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 Hattiesburg hearing office
The Hattiesburg hearing office serves you throughout the Mississippi region. As of the most recent record in July 2026, this office maintains a bench of 11 judges who handle a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Hattiesburg office, there are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 25% to 76% on their respective 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
Wendy Hollingsworth has an approval rate of 49% on record since 2017. This sits within the 25% to 76% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Wendy Hollingsworth has fluctuated over time. After recording 40% in 2018 and 38% in 2019, the approval rate rose to 66% in 2025. If you are concerned about how these trends might affect your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Hattiesburg hearing office. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony provided. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.
