Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While your judge's overall approval rate since 2018 is 42%, her latest-period approval rate is 53%. This latest figure sits 3 percentage points below the Philadelphia office average of 56%. These statistics are derived from a docket of 2,228 decisions on record, providing a stable basis for analysis.
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 Johnson'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 January 2018, the approval rate for Jessica Marie Johnson has fluctuated. With 2,228 total decisions on record, the data indicates a shift from lower approval years to a 53% rate in the latest period. This recent activity reflects a change in the volume of approvals compared to her historical average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Johnson'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 Philadelphia hearing office
The Philadelphia hearing office serves claimants across Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Philadelphia Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia office, and 4 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 42% to 78% on their 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
Jessica Marie Johnson has an approval rate of 42% since 2018. This sits within the broader range of 42% to 78% seen among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia office. An attorney can help you understand how to tailor your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the data shows a trend of variation over time. While her approval rate since 2018 is 42%, her latest-period approval rate reached 53%. Understanding these shifts is part of how a qualified attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing daily tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While Jessica Marie Johnson has a 42% approval rate since 2018, the success of your case depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you determine if your documentation is ready for a hearing.
