Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Melissa J. McIntosh maintains a 65% approval rate across her record since 2016, which sits within the 31% to 90% range of other judges at the Tampa OHO. In the most recent reporting period, her 69% approval rate outperformed the office average of 59% by 10 percentage points. These figures are based on a substantial volume of decisions, providing a clear view of past trends.
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 McIntosh'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, the approval rate for Melissa J. McIntosh has shown a varied trend. After an initial 67% approval rate in 2017, the figures fluctuated, reaching a high of 81% in 2021 before stabilizing in recent years. With 2,680 total decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent approach to evaluating disability claims. The latest period approval rate of 69% remains slightly above her long-term average, suggesting a continuation of her established decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McIntosh'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 Tampa OHO hearing office
The Tampa OHO is the most recent office on record for Melissa J. McIntosh, with her last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves claimants across Florida and maintains a bench of 16 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 59%, which provides a baseline for the region. You can see the Tampa OHO Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tampa OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 16 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tampa OHO, and 11 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 90% 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
Melissa J. McIntosh has a 65% approval rate since 2016, which falls within the 31% to 90% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Tampa OHO. Comparing her latest-period 69% approval rate to the office average of 59% shows she is currently 10 percentage points above the local benchmark. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. It started at 67% in 2017, peaked at 81% in 2021, and is currently at 69% for the 2026 fiscal year to date. These shifts are common in SSDI dockets and reflect the varied nature of the cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but you can prepare your case thoroughly regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you organize your medical records to ensure your claim is as strong as possible.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and sometimes a vocational or medical expert will participate. The goal is to determine if your condition meets the criteria for disability benefits. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process.
Approval rates are statistical summaries of past decisions and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Melissa J. McIntosh has a 65% approval rate since 2016, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical documentation and testimony. An attorney can help you build a compelling case that addresses the specific requirements of the SSA.
