Approval rates
The approval rate for Michele M. Kelley is based on 2,520 decisions recorded since 2016. When evaluating this figure, note that the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Billings show an approval-rate range between 32% and 70%. This comparison provides context for how different judicial approaches may manifest within the same office.
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 approval trend for Michele M. Kelley has shown variation since 2016. After starting at 23% in 2016, the rate saw a gradual increase, reaching 42% in 2023 before adjusting to 35% in 2024. With 2,520 decisions on record, these fluctuations highlight the importance of presenting a complete and well-documented case.
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 claimants across Montana. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 63%. You can see the Billings hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Billings
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Billings hearing office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 70% based on their respective records since 2016.
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
Michele M. Kelley has an approval rate of 32% since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 32% to 70% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Billings. An attorney can help you understand how to build a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Michele M. Kelley has fluctuated over time. It began at 23% in 2016 and reached a high of 42% in 2023, with the most recent data from 2024 showing a rate of 35%. These trends are based on 2,520 decisions on record. An attorney can help you prepare for your specific hearing date.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your claim. You will likely testify about your limitations, and the judge may ask a vocational expert about available work. An attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
