Approval rates
The approval rates for William B. Howard are calculated based on 4,291 decisions on record since January 2016. The judge's performance is measured against the bench at the Houston North hearing office, where approval rates for judges range from 34% to 64% since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Howard'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 William B. Howard has shown a varied trend across the 4,291 decisions on record since January 2016. The latest reporting period indicates an approval rate of 60%, which is higher than the overall average on record. This recent shift reflects the most current data available for the judge.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Howard'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 Houston North hearing office
The most recent office on record for William B. Howard is the Houston North hearing office, with activity recorded through July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 12 judges. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 56%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Houston North
Social Security disability cases are assigned using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston North hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 34% to 64% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
William B. Howard has an approval rate of 51% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 34% to 64% seen among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston North hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for William B. Howard has fluctuated over time. While the rate on record since 2016 is 51%, the latest reporting period shows an approval rate of 60%. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare your 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 vital to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you present your evidence clearly during this process.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your disability claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
