Approval rates
To understand how Amy H. Naylor compares to her peers, look at her 71% approval rate on record since 2016 against the 21% to 92% range of the other judges whose most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, she maintained an 83% approval rate, which is 12 percentage points higher than the office average of 71%. These figures provide a view of historical trends rather than a prediction for your specific case.
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 Naylor'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 2016, Amy H. Naylor has presided over 3,741 decisions. Her yearly approval trend shows fluctuations, reaching 83% in the most recent partial fiscal year. While her rate was 70% in 2016, it has varied between 64% and 83% over the decade. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent trend, which may be influenced by changes in the evidence you and other claimants present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Naylor'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 Montgomery hearing office
Amy H. Naylor's most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office, which serves claimants across Alabama. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 71%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in a favorable outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Montgomery
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 Montgomery hearing office, and 9 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 21% to 92% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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 Naylor has an approval rate of 71% on her record since 2016, placing her within the 21% to 92% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Montgomery. In the latest reporting period, she approved 83% of cases, which is 12 percentage points higher than the office average. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best fit the expectations of this bench.
Yes, Judge Naylor's approval rate has shown movement over time. Starting at 70% in 2016, the rate has fluctuated, reaching 83% in the most recent partial fiscal year. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific 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 by working with an attorney who understands the local hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you organize your testimony and medical evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Judge Naylor's 71% rate since 2016 provides context, your specific case outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to demonstrate your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case's strengths and weaknesses before your hearing.
