Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. Carey Jobe has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 42% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office. With 1,953 decisions on record, this data provides a stable view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Jobe. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Jobe'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
Your approval rate for Carey Jobe has shifted over the years since 2016. After maintaining a steady approval rate between 59% and 62% from 2016 through 2018, the data shows a decline in the following years, with a 49% rate in 2019 and 41% in 2020. These 1,953 total decisions on record reflect a period of changing outcomes.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Jobe'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 Chattanooga hearing office
Carey Jobe's most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office, which serves you in Tennessee. This office is part of a broader regional network and includes a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Chattanooga hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chattanooga
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 82% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Carey Jobe has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 42% to 82% range of the 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chattanooga hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated. While it remained between 59% and 62% from 2016 to 2018, it declined to 49% in 2019 and 41% in 2020. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSDI disability criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
