Approval rates
The 40% approval rate for Maribeth McMahon reflects all 1,764 decisions on record since 2016. This can be measured against the 40% to 65% range of the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Paducah hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different benches approach disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge McMahon. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge McMahon'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 Maribeth McMahon has varied across the 1,764 decisions on record since 2016. After a 30% approval rate in 2017, the rate was 43% in 2018, 44% in 2019, 34% in 2020, 37% in 2021, 48% in 2022, and 44% in 2023. This pattern shows how your judge's approach has shifted over the years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McMahon'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 Paducah hearing office
Maribeth McMahon's most recent office on record is the Paducah hearing office, which serves you in Kentucky. With a bench of 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a consistent process for reviewing medical evidence and testimony. You can see the Paducah hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Paducah
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. Within the Paducah hearing office, there are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 65%. Because each judge brings a unique perspective to the hearing room, understanding the office-wide bench is a helpful part of your preparation.
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
Maribeth McMahon has a 40% approval rate on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 40% to 65% range observed among the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Paducah hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to address the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Maribeth McMahon has fluctuated, starting at 30% in 2017 and reaching 44% in 2023. These shifts are common as case mixes and evidence quality change over time. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony so you can clearly explain your situation to the judge.
The 40% approval rate for Maribeth McMahon is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you gather the necessary records to build a strong case.
