Approval rates
The approval rate for Ward D. King is based on 1,394 decisions finalized between January 2016 and September 2019. This figure is best understood by comparing it to the broader bench at the Fort Worth office, where judges have since-2016 approval rates ranging from 32% to 63%. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding how your case may be evaluated.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge King. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge King'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 Ward D. King showed a steady trend over the recorded period. Starting at 35% in 2016, the rate was 34% in 2017, 38% in 2018, and 40% in 2019. With 1,394 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge King'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 Fort Worth hearing office
Ward D. King's most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office, with decisions there through September 2019. This office serves you in Texas and is part of a region with a diverse range of judicial approaches. With 15 judges on record, the office handles a significant volume of SSDI claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Worth
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fort Worth hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 63%. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the office-wide bench is helpful.
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
Ward D. King has an approval rate of 37% based on 1,394 decisions since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 63% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Worth. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Ward D. King has remained relatively steady. It began at 35% in 2016 and reached 40% by 2019. If you are concerned about how these trends impact your claim, an attorney can help you review your options.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence 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 records for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
