Approval rates
The approval rate for Jon C. Lyons is based on 1,865 decisions issued between January 2016 and September 2021. This figure is best understood by comparing it to the broader bench at the Philadelphia hearing office, where judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a range of 42% to 78% approval. Because case assignment is handled via a workload-balancing algorithm, your specific hearing outcome depends on the evidence in your file.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Lyons. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Lyons'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 Jon C. Lyons has remained relatively steady throughout the data window of January 2016 to September 2021. After an initial approval rate of 70% in 2016, the judge saw minor fluctuations, including a low of 62% in 2018 and a high of 72% in 2021. With 1,865 total decisions on record, the data shows a consistent approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Lyons'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 Philadelphia hearing office
The Philadelphia hearing office serves you if you are in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. This office features a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office. These judges demonstrate an approval-rate range of 42% to 78% on their since-2016 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
Jon C. Lyons has an approval rate of 69% on his record since 2016. This places him within the 42% to 78% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Jon C. Lyons has remained steady, ranging from 62% to 72% across the years 2016 to 2021. With 1,865 decisions on record, this consistency suggests a stable approach to disability claims. An attorney can help you understand how your evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
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 for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 69% approval rate for Jon C. Lyons represents a historical pattern of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
