Approval rates
The 48% approval rate for Russell W. Lewis reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 31% to 72% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Macon. Statistical confidence in these figures is supported by the volume of 1,679 decisions.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lewis. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lewis'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 Russell W. Lewis showed a steady trend before shifting toward the end of the data window. Starting at 49% in 2016, the rate remained consistent through 2018 before moving to 46% in 2019 and 42% in 2020. With 1,679 total decisions on record since 2016, these fluctuations highlight the importance of the specific evidence presented in your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lewis'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 across Georgia. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, which maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 46%. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Macon
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge assignment is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Macon office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 72% 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
Russell W. Lewis has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 31% to 72% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Macon office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Russell W. Lewis was 49% in 2016 and reached 42% by 2020. While the rate remained relatively steady for several years, the final year of the data window showed a decline. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an administrative law 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 to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 48% approval rate for Russell W. Lewis is a historical statistic based on 1,679 decisions since 2016, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for your hearing.
