Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Stephanie M. Jones maintains a 70% approval rate across her record since 2017, which sits within the 13% to 77% range observed among her peers whose most recent office on record is Knoxville. In the most recent reporting period, her 79% approval rate outperformed the office rate of 48%, the state rate of 57%, and the national rate of 58%.
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
Since November 2017, Stephanie M. Jones has issued 2,221 decisions. Her yearly approval trend shows fluctuations, starting at 76% in 2018, dipping to 62% in 2019, and reaching 80% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. The latest-period approval rate of 79% indicates a high level of favorable outcomes compared to her historical average.
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.
About the Knoxville hearing office
The Knoxville hearing office serves you and other claimants across Tennessee and the surrounding region. It is associated with a bench of 16 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 48%, you may find that your evidentiary requirements are rigorous.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Knoxville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Knoxville office, 5 of whom decided cases in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 13% to 77% since 2016.
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
Stephanie M. Jones has a 70% approval rate on record since 2017, which is at the higher end of the 13% to 77% range for judges whose most recent office on record is Knoxville. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence to meet the specific expectations of this bench.
Her approval rate has fluctuated over time, moving from 76% in 2018 to a 79% approval rate in the most recent reporting period. Because these rates reflect past decisions, an attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with current trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that is ready for any assigned ALJ.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony is clear and consistent.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While Stephanie M. Jones's 70% rate since 2017 provides context, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and persuasive.
