Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 62% approval rate for Michael L. Levinson on record since 2016 is measured against the broader bench at the Macon hearing office, where peers range from 31% to 72% over the same period. These figures provide a statistical baseline derived from hundreds of cases, though they do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Levinson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Levinson'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 L. Levinson shifted during the period of 2016 to 2017. Starting at 60% in 2016, the rate moved to 67% in 2017 across the 322 total decisions on record. This trend reflects the specific outcomes observed during that window. Because each case involves unique medical evidence and vocational factors, this pattern serves as a historical reference rather than a fixed rule for your future proceedings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Levinson'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 Macon hearing office
The Macon hearing office serves you and other claimants across Georgia and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in September 2017, this office hosted a bench of 13 judges. You can expect a formal process focused on the specific medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Macon Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Macon
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Macon hearing office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide variance in approval rates, ranging from 31% to 72% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Michael L. Levinson has an approval rate of 62% on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 31% to 72% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Macon. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Michael L. Levinson was 60% in 2016 and 67% in 2017. These figures are based on 322 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
The 62% approval rate for Michael L. Levinson reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is decided based on its own merits, including the quality of medical documentation and your work history. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your case.
