Approval rates
Perry Martin maintains a 48% approval rate across 2,646 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 28% to 85% observed among the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the Birmingham office. These figures reflect historical data rather than a fixed outcome for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Martin. 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 Martin'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 Perry Martin has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching 51% in 2017 and 2019, the rate was 43% by the end of the 2021 record window. These 2,646 decisions on record show that approval frequency varies, often depending on the specific medical evidence and documentation you provide for your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Martin'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 Birmingham hearing office
Perry Martin's most recent office on record is the Birmingham office. This office maintains a bench of 23 judges with varying approval patterns. If you are appearing at this office, you should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical evidence and work history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Birmingham
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the Birmingham office, with approval rates ranging from 28% to 85% on their since-2016 records. Understanding the office-wide bench provides context for the hearing environment, though your preparation remains focused on your own medical evidence.
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
Perry Martin has an approval rate of 48% on record since 2016. This falls within the 28% to 85% range of the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the Birmingham office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Perry Martin has shifted over time, moving from 45% in 2016 to 43% in 2021. These fluctuations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to best present your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your ability to perform work-related tasks. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for these questions.
The 48% approval rate on record for Perry Martin is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths.
