Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data windows. While the overall approval rate since 2016 is 60%, the latest-period approval rate of 57% sits 14 percentage points below the 71% office average for the same recent period. These figures are derived from a volume of 3,939 decisions on record, providing a basis for comparison against the 45% to 85% range seen among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City.
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 Hunt'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
Since 2016, the approval rate has experienced fluctuations, moving from a high of 69% in 2018 and 2019 to a low of 49% in 2024. The data shows a recent stabilization, with the 2026 fiscal year-to-date rate of 58% aligning more closely with the long-term average. This pattern suggests that while annual approval rates have varied, recent decisions reflect a return toward the historical mean observed over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hunt'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 Oklahoma City hearing office
Christopher Hunt's most recent office on record is Oklahoma City, which serves claimants across Oklahoma. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges who have collectively processed a high volume of cases. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 71%, reflecting the local environment for disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City, 11 of whom decided cases in the latest SSA file. With approval rates across this bench ranging from 45% to 85%, the specific judge assigned to your hearing can influence the process.
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
The 60% approval rate since 2016 falls within the 45% to 85% range established by the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Oklahoma City. While the latest-period rate of 57% is lower than the office average of 71%, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the years. After reaching 69% in 2018 and 2019, the rate declined to 49% in 2024 before showing a recent recovery to 58% in 2026. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your hearing strategy.
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 have an attorney who can help you prepare for any judge.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are a probability cloud from past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While the 60% rate provides context, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.
