Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data windows. While the overall approval rate since 2016 is 77%, the latest-period approval rate of 90% stands higher than the 56% office average, 51% state average, and 58% national average for the same period. These figures are derived from a sample of 3,294 decisions on record, providing a view of past trends.
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 Naggi'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, the approval rate has shown an upward trajectory. After a period of relative stability between 2019 and 2022, the data indicates a consistent increase in approvals, reaching 90% in the most recent reporting period. This latest figure represents a shift from the historical average, reflecting a change in the pattern of recent decisions.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Naggi'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 Kansas City hearing office
The Kansas City hearing office serves you and other claimants across Missouri and the surrounding region. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office manages a diverse caseload. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 56%, providing a baseline for the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City
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 Kansas City office, 12 of whom decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this bench vary, ranging from 33% to 77% on their since-2016 records.
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
Mark Naggi's 77% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the top of the range for the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City, who collectively range from 33% to 77%. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. While the approval rate was 74% in 2016, it reached 90% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
Approval rates are a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how your specific hearing will conclude. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for review.
