Approval rates
The approval rate for Windell R. Owens is based on 654 decisions issued between 2016 and 2017. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Jackson office, where judges range from 41% to 90% in their approval rates since 2016. This range highlights the variance in decision-making across the office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Owens. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Owens'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 Windell R. Owens remained steady between 2016 and 2017. In 2016, the judge approved 59% of cases, followed by 61% in 2017. These 654 decisions on record show a consistent pattern of adjudication over the observed window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Owens'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 Jackson hearing office
Windell R. Owens's most recent office on record is the Jackson hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves claimants across Mississippi and is part of a regional network of hearing offices. With 8 judges on the bench, the office maintains its own internal approval trends.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jackson
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Jackson office, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 90% since 2016. While individual rates vary, the procedural requirements for your hearing remain consistent.
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
Windell R. Owens has a 60% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 41% to 90% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is Jackson. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for Windell R. Owens was 59% in 2016 and 61% in 2017. This indicates a steady pattern across the 654 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these past trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Because you cannot control your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that meets the evidentiary standards of any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Windell R. Owens approved 60% of cases on record since 2016, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony in your file. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.
