Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same time periods to ensure accuracy. The 49% approval rate for Matthew Johnson reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 25% to 69% range of other judges at the same office during that same window. This docket size of 1,472 decisions provides a stable view of past patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Johnson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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
The approval rate for Matthew Johnson shows a shift over the 1,472 decisions on record since 2016. You can see an initial approval rate of 57% in 2016, followed by a decline to 45% in 2018, before reaching 48% in 2019. This pattern illustrates how the judge has evaluated cases in the past.
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 Orland Park hearing office
The Orland Park hearing office serves you if you are in Illinois and the surrounding region. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 43%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orland Park
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Orland Park office, there are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 25% to 69% on their since-2016 records. For your preparation, the guidance is the same 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
Matthew Johnson has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 25% to 69% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Orland Park. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these local patterns.
Yes, the data shows a shift from a 57% approval rate in 2016 to 48% in 2019. These fluctuations are common as judges adjust to new evidence standards or case mixes. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses these variables.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you navigate this process.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear from vocational or medical experts. It is your opportunity to explain how your impairments prevent you from working. An attorney can help you navigate this process and present your strongest case.
The 49% approval rate for Matthew Johnson is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and the strength of your testimony. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to support your claim.
