Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. Adrienne Porter's 68% approval rate since 2016 sits within a range of 35% to 78% for the bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC. In the most recent reporting period, Adrienne Porter maintained a 75% approval rate, which is 10 percentage points higher than the office and state averages of 65%. 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 Porter'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 2016, Adrienne Porter has issued 3,970 decisions. The yearly approval trend has fluctuated, showing a high of 85% in 2017 and a low of 56% in 2024, before rising to 75% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent uptick suggests a shift in the latest period compared to the 2024 and 2025 figures. These variations often reflect changes in the underlying case mix or the quality of evidence presented in your hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Porter'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 Fayetteville NC hearing office
Adrienne Porter's most recent office on record is the Fayetteville NC hearing office, which serves the surrounding region of North Carolina. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 65%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on medical and vocational evidence. You can see the Fayetteville NC Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC, and 4 of them decided cases in the latest SSA file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 35% to 78% based on records since 2016. 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
Adrienne Porter's 68% approval rate since 2016 is situated within the 35% to 78% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Fayetteville NC. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. After starting at 85% in 2017, the rate saw variations in subsequent years, reaching 75% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your judge assignment, an attorney can help you prepare your case for a successful hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
The 68% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
