Approval rates
The approval rates for Melvyn B. Kalt reflect a history of decision-making within the Oak Park hearing office. By comparing his 65% lifetime approval rate against the office-wide range of 36% to 83%, you can better understand the local judicial landscape. These figures are derived from 251 lifetime decisions on record since 2016. 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 Kalt. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kalt'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 record for Melvyn B. Kalt, spanning from 2016 to 2018, shows a shift in approval patterns over time. While decisions in 2016 and 2017 saw approval rates of 75% and 76% respectively, the 2018 period saw a decline to 52%. This trend indicates a change in the volume and outcome of cases during the latter part of his recorded tenure. These variations often reflect shifts in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented in the courtroom.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kalt'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 Oak Park hearing office
The Oak Park hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a hub for SSDI disability determinations. With a bench of 20 judges on record, the office maintains a process for managing complex disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing environment where evidence quality is the primary driver of success. You can see the Oak Park Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Melvyn B. Kalt is essentially random. Across the 20 judges on record at this office since 2016, approval rates vary significantly from 36% to 83%. This variance highlights why understanding the bench is vital for your preparation. For preparation purposes, 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
The 65% lifetime approval rate for Melvyn B. Kalt sits within the broader office-wide range of 36% to 83%. Because every judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific nuances of the courtroom.
Yes, the data shows a shift from 76% in 2017 to 52% in 2018. While these numbers represent past performance, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the current standards of this judge.
No, the SSA assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot choose your judge, but you can work with a qualified attorney to ensure your case is as strong as possible regardless of who is assigned.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions Melvyn B. Kalt may ask during your specific hearing.
The 65% approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses to improve your chances of a favorable decision.