Approval rates
Judge Morris has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 33% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, his 49% approval rate is 2 points lower than the 51% office average, 10 points lower than the 59% state average, and 9 points lower than the 58% national average.
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 Morris'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 Judge Morris has shown variation across his 2,695 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial period of higher approval rates, the trend saw a decline in 2021 and 2022 before stabilizing. The latest period shows a 49% approval rate, which aligns closely with his long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Morris'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 Jacksonville hearing office
The Jacksonville hearing office is the most recent office on record for Judge Morris, with his last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office, 10 of whom decided cases here in the latest file. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 78%.
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
Judge Morris has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 33% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Morris has fluctuated over time. After reaching 60% in 2017, the rate saw a decline in 2021 and 2022, but has since stabilized with a 49% approval rate in the latest reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your case strategy.
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, it is important to focus on building a strong case that meets the evidentiary requirements for disability benefits.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Judge Morris has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA criteria. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence and prepare for your hearing.
