Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. The 65% approval rate for Melvyn B. Kalt reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which you can compare against the 36% to 83% range observed among other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached cases. 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 approval rate for Melvyn B. Kalt across 251 decisions on record since 2016 shows a shift in trend. While the approval rate was 75% in 2016 and 76% in 2017, it was 52% in 2018. This pattern reflects the judge's historical decision-making within the provided data window. The latest period on record reflects a departure from the earlier, higher approval rates, which may be influenced by changes in the specific mix of cases or evidence presented.
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
Melvyn B. Kalt's most recent office on record is the Oak Park hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves the region and maintains a bench of 19 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where evidence quality remains the primary factor in your decision. You can see the Oak Park Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 83% on their since-2016 records. Because approval rates vary significantly across this bench, understanding the broader office context is useful for you. 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
Melvyn B. Kalt has an approval rate of 65% based on 251 decisions on record since 2016. This falls within the 36% to 83% range of approval rates for the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Melvyn B. Kalt has shifted over the recorded period. While the rate was 75% in 2016 and 76% in 2017, it moved to 52% in 2018 across 148 decisions. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide to support your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
