Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent timeframes. Her 59% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 31% to 75% range of her peers at the Denver office. In the most recent reporting period, she maintained a 62% approval rate, which is 1 percentage point above the office average of 61%, 10 points above the state average, and 4 points above the national average. These figures provide statistical context based on thousands of cases.
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 Millington'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, your judge's approval rate has varied, moving from 60% in 2016 to a peak of 68% in 2023 before reaching 62% in the most recent period. With 3,730 total decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent volume of activity. The latest period's 62% approval rate remains consistent with her established history on the bench.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Millington'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 Denver hearing office
Jennifer B. Millington's most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 22 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver office. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 31% to 75% since 2016.
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
Jennifer B. Millington's 59% approval rate since 2016 is situated within the 31% to 75% range of the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Denver. In the latest reporting period, her 62% approval rate is 1 percentage point higher than the office average. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Her approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 60% in 2016 and reaching 62% in the most recent period. While there was an increase to 68% in 2023, the current rate reflects a return to levels seen earlier in her record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge in the Denver office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a 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 tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are a probability cloud based on thousands of past decisions and are not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational factors unique to your situation. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing process.
