Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your judge's overall approval rate on record since 2023 is 55%, recent data shows a 58% approval rate during the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure aligns with the office-wide average of 58% and sits 4 percentage points above the state average of 54%.
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 Luker'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 Daniel Luker has shown an upward trend over the past three years. Starting at 52% in 2024, the rate rose to 55% in 2025 and reached 58% in 2026 based on partial fiscal year data. With 1,081 total decisions on record since October 2023, 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 Luker'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 Peoria hearing office
The Peoria hearing office serves claimants across Illinois and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in July 2026, the office maintains a bench of 8 judges with varying approval patterns. You can see the Peoria Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Peoria
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 5 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 68% on their respective records.
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
Daniel Luker has an approval rate of 55% on record since 2023, which sits within the 32% to 68% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Peoria. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the data shows a steady trend. The approval rate was 52% in 2024, 55% in 2025, and 58% in 2026. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing typically involves testimony from you, and sometimes a vocational or medical expert, regarding your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are presented effectively.
An approval rate is a statistical observation based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence, and an attorney can help you build a case that meets the necessary criteria.
