Approval rates
Comparing Mary D. Morrow's 44% approval rate against the local bench range of 25% to 75% provides context for how her decisions align with peers. In the most recent reporting period, her 45% approval rate sits 12 percentage points below the Detroit office average of 57%. These figures are based on a volume of 3,495 decisions on record since 2017. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Morrow'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 December 2017, the approval rate for Mary D. Morrow has fluctuated, showing a peak of 54% in 2023 before a decline to 32% in 2025. The most recent data from 2026 shows a rate of 45%, which is a partial fiscal year figure. This latest period reflects a return toward her long-term average after a period of lower approvals. These shifts often stem from changes in the specific mix of medical evidence or the complexity of cases assigned during a given year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Morrow'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 Detroit hearing office
Mary D. Morrow's most recent office on record is the Detroit hearing office, which serves you across Michigan. This office maintains a bench of 12 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 57%. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical documentation and vocational evidence. You can see the Detroit Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Detroit
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Detroit office, and 9 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 25% to 75% on their records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Mary D. Morrow has an approval rate of 44% on record since 2017. This sits within the range of 25% to 75% seen among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Detroit hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time, reaching a high of 54% in 2023 and a low of 32% in 2025. The most recent 2026 data shows a rate of 45%. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, working with a qualified attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and how it meets the Social Security Administration's criteria are the most important factors. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
