Approval rates
The approval rate for Michele M. Kelley reflects a lifetime record of 32% across 2,520 decisions. This figure sits within the broader range of 32% to 70% observed across the Billings hearing office bench since 2016. Because the SSA assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm, your hearing outcome depends on the quality of medical evidence you present.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kelley. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kelley'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 Michele M. Kelley spans from 2016 to 2024, showing a shift in approval frequency over time. While your approval rate began at 23% in 2016, it reached 42% in 2023 before adjusting to 35% in 2024. This trend suggests a dynamic approach to case review that has evolved over the last several years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kelley'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 Billings hearing office
The Billings hearing office serves you throughout Montana and the surrounding region. With 13 judges on record, the office manages a diverse caseload of disability applications. You can expect a formal hearing process where your medical documentation and vocational testimony are central to the decision. See the Billings hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Billings hearing office maintains a bench of 13 judges on record since 2016. Because the SSA assigns cases by a workload-balancing algorithm, the judge you are assigned is essentially random, and approval rates vary significantly across the office, ranging from 32% to 70%.
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
Judge Kelley has a lifetime approval rate of 32% across 2,520 decisions. This places her at the lower end of the 32% to 70% range observed among the 13 judges who have served at the Billings office since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how to build a stronger case regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Kelley has fluctuated since 2016. After starting at 23% in 2016, the rate saw a gradual increase, reaching 42% in 2023 before settling at 35% in 2024. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process essentially random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your inability to work. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to present the strongest possible case.