Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Peter Jung has a 52% approval rate on record since 2016, his latest-period approval rate of 59% sits 3 points above the Kansas City office average of 56% for that same period. These figures are derived from a docket of 3,316 decisions, providing a view of past activity. These rates reflect historical trends rather than a fixed outcome for your 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 Jung'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 2016, your approval rate for Peter Jung has shown a varied trajectory. After hovering near 50% for several years, the data shows a shift in recent periods, with the latest-period approval rate reaching 59%. This recent performance suggests a divergence from the long-term average of 52%. These fluctuations often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented, rather than a fundamental change in judicial approach.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Jung'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 Kansas City hearing office
The Kansas City Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Missouri and the surrounding region. As of the latest data from July 2026, this office maintains a bench of 17 judges with varying approval patterns. You can expect a formal process where the strength of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in any decision. You can see the Kansas City Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kansas City office, 12 of whom decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this bench range from 33% to 77% on their since-2016 records. You can view the Kansas City Hearing Office page for a full list of the office's judges.
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
Peter Jung's 52% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 33% to 77% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years. While the long-term average since 2016 is 52%, the most recent reporting period shows an approval rate of 59%. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
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, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively for this judge.
