Approval rates
Judge Mason maintains a lifetime approval rate of 62% based on a docket of 15,653 decisions. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate was 57%, which aligns with the Livonia office average and compares to the 58% national average. These figures provide statistical context for his historical performance. 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 Mason Jr.'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
Over his 10 years on the bench, Judge Mason has shown a varied approval trend, peaking at 71% in 2024 before reaching 60% in 2025. His lifetime average of 62% suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence, despite year-to-year fluctuations. The recent period reflects a return toward his long-term average. While his baseline is steady, the specific evidence and case mix you present remain the primary drivers of your individual outcome.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mason Jr.'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.
Hearing with Judge Mason Jr.? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Livonia MI hearing office
The Livonia MI hearing office serves a significant population of claimants across Michigan, managing a high volume of cases with a bench of 6 judges. The office currently maintains an approval rate of 57%, reflecting regional trends in disability adjudication. You can expect a professional environment focused on the thorough review of your medical and vocational evidence. You can visit the Livonia MI Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Judge Mason is random. Across the Livonia office, lifetime approval rates among the 6 judges range from 55% to 73%. While these variations exist, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent across all courtrooms. You can find more information on the Livonia MI Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.