Approval rates
The 72% approval rate for Shirley M. Michaelson reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 45% to 79% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Michaelson. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Michaelson'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 Shirley M. Michaelson has remained consistent across the 358 decisions on record since 2016. Yearly data shows a 72% approval rate in 2016 followed by 70% in 2017. This steady pattern suggests a stable approach to evaluating evidence and medical documentation over the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Michaelson'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 Evanston hearing office
The Evanston hearing office is the most recent office on record for 15 judges as of September 2017. The office manages a diverse caseload of disability claims, and you can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evidence, understanding the broader bench helps you prepare for the hearing process.
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
Shirley M. Michaelson has a 72% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 45% to 79% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate has remained steady, moving from 72% in 2016 to 70% in 2017 across 358 total decisions on record. This consistency indicates a stable approach to case evaluation. 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 assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an administrative law judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Shirley M. Michaelson approved 72% of cases since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
