Approval rates
The approval rate for Matt Midles is 55% across his decisions since 2023. This figure is best understood by comparing it to the broader bench at his most recent office, where judges range from 28% to 65% in approval rates on their records since 2016. In the most recent reporting period, his approval rate was 45%, which is 1 percentage point below the office average of 46%.
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 Midles'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 January 2023, Matt Midles has issued 1,053 total decisions. His yearly approval trend was 62% in 2023, 58% in 2024, 57% in 2025, and 45% in 2026. This recent shift reflects a change from earlier levels, though it remains within the standard variance for the office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Midles'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 San Francisco hearing office
The San Francisco hearing office is the most recent office on record for Matt Midles as of July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 10 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 46%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Francisco
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the San Francisco hearing office, there are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 65%.
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
Matt Midles has an approval rate of 55% on record since 2023. This places him within the 28% to 65% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is San Francisco. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a trend of 62% in 2023, 58% in 2024, 57% in 2025, and 45% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. An attorney can help you focus on the quality of your medical evidence.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is organized.
The 55% approval rate for Matt Midles is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
