Approval rates
The 49% approval rate for Michael S. Kidd reflects his total record since 2016, which provides a sample of 665 decisions. In contrast, the office bench shows a wide range of outcomes, spanning from 31% to 75% for judges with similar records. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific 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 Kidd'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 Michael S. Kidd has fluctuated across the 665 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate reached 88% in 2022, recent years have shown more variability, with the latest period reflecting a departure from the long-term average. This pattern indicates that case outcomes are sensitive to the specific evidence and case mix presented to the judge.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kidd'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 Denver hearing office
The most recent office on record for Michael S. Kidd is the Denver hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 22 judges, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 61%. You can find the full ALJ roster on the Denver Hearing Office page.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 9 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, from 31% to 75% on their 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
Michael S. Kidd has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, approval rates range from 31% to 75%. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Michael S. Kidd has varied over time, ranging from a high of 88% in 2022 to lower levels in more recent periods. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific evidence presented in each case. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of your assigned judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 49% approval rate for Michael S. Kidd is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a decision. An attorney can help you build a strong case tailored to the requirements of the hearing.
