Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your judge's 42% approval rate covers all decisions since 2016, her latest-period approval rate of 47% provides a more current view of her recent activity. This latest-period figure sits 5 points below the San Antonio office average of 52%, 9 points below the Texas state average of 56%, and 11 points below the national average of 58%. These figures are based on 3,763 decisions on record since 2016.
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 Holmes'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 Janice L. Holmes has fluctuated since 2016. After a low point in 2017, the rate saw an increase in 2018 before stabilizing in the mid-40% range in recent years. The latest period shows a 47% approval rate, which is slightly higher than her long-term average. This recent trend reflects a continuation of the steady pattern observed over the last several years of her recorded decisions.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Holmes'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 San Antonio hearing office
Janice L. Holmes's most recent office on record is the San Antonio hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across the region, maintaining an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 52%. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Antonio office, and 17 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 18% to 70% 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
Janice L. Holmes has a 42% approval rate since 2016, which falls within the 18% to 70% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Her approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 39% in 2016 and reaching 47% in the most recent partial period of 2026. While these trends provide context, they do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing; an attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
The 42% approval rate on record since 2016 represents a historical pattern of past decisions, not a guarantee for your future hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
