Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Terrence Hugar holds a 64% approval rate across his total record since 2016, his latest-period performance shows an 83% approval rate. This latest-period figure sits 22 points above the Denver office average of 61%, 31 points above the Colorado state average of 52%, and 25 points above the national average of 58%. These figures provide statistical context based on a large volume of cases.
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 Hugar'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 Terrence Hugar has shown an upward trajectory since 2016. Starting at 47% in 2016, the approval rate climbed to 83% in the most recent fiscal year-to-date period. This pattern indicates a shift in decision outcomes over the last decade, with recent outcomes notably higher than the 64% average across 3,671 decisions.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hugar'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 Denver hearing office
Terrence Hugar's most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office, which serves claimants across Colorado and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 22 judges. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 75% 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
Terrence Hugar's 64% approval rate since 2016 sits within the range of 31% to 75% observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Denver. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific standards of this bench.
Yes, the data shows an upward trend. Terrence Hugar's approval rate moved from 47% in 2016 to 83% in the most recent reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to the current requirements for your specific disability claim.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why preparing a strong, evidence-based case is essential regardless of who is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial 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 medical evidence is properly organized.
Approval rates are statistical summaries of past decisions and do not predict the outcome of any individual hearing. Your specific medical evidence and how it aligns with regulatory requirements are the most important factors. An attorney can help you determine if your case is ready for a hearing.
