Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. While Sarah Lough maintains a 56% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period approval rate of 58% sits 6 points above the Minneapolis office average of 52%. These figures are drawn from 979 lifetime decisions, providing a view of her recent activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual 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 Lough'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
Sarah Lough has presided over 979 decisions since her record began in 2023. Her approval rate has shown a steady trend, moving from 55% in 2024 to 57% in 2026. This recent performance indicates a consistent approach to case evaluation that aligns with national averages. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, suggesting that your decision-making process remains stable as she manages her current caseload.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lough'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 Minneapolis hearing office
The Minneapolis hearing office serves you if you are in Minnesota and the surrounding region. With a bench of 16 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 52%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. See the Minneapolis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. The Minneapolis office features 16 judges on record since 2016, 9 of whom reported in the latest period. These judges exhibit a wide range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 26% to 68%. You can find the full roster on the Minneapolis hearing office page.
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
Judge Lough holds a 56% lifetime approval rate. Across the Minneapolis office, lifetime approval rates among the 16 judges on record range from 26% to 68%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with the expectations of this office.
Yes, the data shows a steady trend in her approval rates, which have moved from 55% in 2024 to 57% in 2026. This indicates a consistent pattern in her recent decisions. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards typically required in this hearing office.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared thoroughly for any ALJ. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony clearly addresses the judge's concerns.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. While Judge Lough has a 56% lifetime approval rate, every case is decided on its own unique medical and vocational merits. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim and prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.