Approval rates
The approval rate for Michael D. Mance is 42% based on 2,254 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 24% to 60% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Topeka KS Hearing Office. These statistics are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a look at past decision-making trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Mance. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Mance'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
Since 2016, Michael D. Mance has maintained a steady approval pattern. While the annual rate fluctuated between a low of 40% and a high of 48% during the 2016 to 2022 period, the overall trend shows consistency. With 2,254 total decisions on record, the data reflects a stable approach to evaluating your disability claim. The latest period on record shows a move toward 44% in 2022, suggesting a continuation of established decision-making habits.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mance'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 Topeka KS hearing office
The Topeka KS Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Kansas and the surrounding region. It is home to 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Topeka KS Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Topeka KS
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Topeka KS Hearing Office, there are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 24% to 60% based on their individual records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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 D. Mance has an approval rate of 42% on record since 2016. This places him within the 24% to 60% range of approval rates for the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Topeka KS Hearing Office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Michael D. Mance has remained steady over the years. Starting at 42% in 2016, the rate has fluctuated slightly but stayed within a consistent range, reaching 44% in 2022. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these past trends might relate to your current case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you prepare your case for the hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge 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 tasks. Having an attorney can help you navigate these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Michael D. Mance has a 42% approval rate on record since 2016, every case is unique and depends on the specific evidence you provide. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
