Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 48% approval rate for Wylly Jordan III represents the judge's entire record since 2018, which we measure against the 41% to 88% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Covington GA. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding the judge's history. 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 Jordan III. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Jordan III'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 Wylly Jordan III has fluctuated across the 2,130 decisions on record since 2018. After a 69% approval rate in 2018, the rate shifted to 37% in 2019, followed by a period of relative stability between 2020 and 2025. The latest data from 2025 shows a 52% approval rate. This pattern reflects the judge's historical approach to evaluating evidence in disability claims.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Jordan III'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 Covington GA hearing office
Wylly Jordan III's most recent SSA record (September 2025) is at the Covington GA hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision. You can see the Covington GA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Covington GA
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Covington GA, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 88%. Because of this variance, understanding the broader office environment is helpful for your preparation.
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
Wylly Jordan III has an approval rate of 48% since 2018. This falls within the 41% to 88% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Covington GA. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The approval rate for Wylly Jordan III has varied over time, starting at 69% in 2018 and settling into a range between 44% and 52% in recent years. These fluctuations are common in judicial dockets. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges. Because you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence with an attorney is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are complete.
The 48% approval rate for Wylly Jordan III is a historical average, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your outcome depends on the evidence you present. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing.
