Approval rates
In the most recent reporting period, Judge Jones maintained an approval rate of 41%, which is 16 percentage points lower than the Lansing Hearing Office average of 52%. Compared to the national average of 58%, this judge's recent activity shows a variance in decision outcomes. With over a decade of experience, the data provides a look at his historical patterns, though these aggregate rates are not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Jones'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
Over his 10 years on the bench, Judge Jones has seen his approval rates fluctuate, ranging from a low of 28% in 2019 to 42% in 2024 and 2025. This trend indicates a period of relative stability in his decision-making following the volatility observed in the late 2010s. The latest period approval rate of 41% aligns closely with his performance over the last three years. These patterns suggest a consistent approach to evaluating evidence, though each case remains unique.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Jones'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.
Hearing with Judge Jones? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Lansing hearing office
The Lansing Hearing Office serves a broad population across Michigan, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an average approval rate that reflects the regional case mix and local economic factors. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence. You can visit the Lansing Hearing Office page for more information on the local roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Across the Lansing Hearing Office, the 6 ALJs range from 36% to 66% in their lifetime approval rates. Because the assignment process is outside of your control, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the most effective way to prepare.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.