Approval rates
Since 2016, the approval rates for the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Flint have ranged from 42% to 81%. These figures provide context for the 2,611 decisions on record for Margaret ODonnell. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting outcomes for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge ODonnell. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge ODonnell'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 Margaret ODonnell has fluctuated since 2016. After an initial period, the data shows a range between 50% and 58% in recent years. With 2,611 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation. The most recent annual data from 2024 shows a 50% approval rate.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge ODonnell'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 Flint hearing office
The Flint hearing office is the most recent office on record for 9 judges. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Flint hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Flint
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 42% to 81%. Understanding the office-wide bench is part of your preparation.
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
Margaret ODonnell has an approval rate of 54% across 2,611 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 42% to 81% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Flint. An attorney can help you prepare a case strategy tailored to this specific bench.
The approval rate for Margaret ODonnell has transitioned from higher levels in 2016 to a range between 50% and 58% in recent years. With 2,611 decisions on record, this trend reflects a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring the process remains impartial. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI 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 work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence and testimony remains the most important factor in a judge's decision. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your case and prepare for the hearing process.
