Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes. While the record since 2016 provides a broad view of history, the latest-period data offers a snapshot of current trends. The Charlotte hearing office bench shows a wide range of approval rates, from 29% to 83% since 2016. With 3,342 decisions on record, the data provides a look at past patterns. These figures reflect historical outcomes rather than future results.
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 Poulos'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 for Susan Poulos has fluctuated across 3,342 total decisions. After a period of lower approval rates in the late 2010s, the latest-period approval rate reached 39%. This figure reflects a recent pattern in case outcomes, which may stem from changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Poulos'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 Charlotte hearing office
Susan Poulos's most recent office on record is the Charlotte hearing office, which serves claimants across North Carolina. This office maintains a bench of 18 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 71%, providing context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Charlotte
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte hearing office, and 9 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 83% since 2016.
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
Susan Poulos has a 29% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Charlotte hearing office, approval rates range from 29% to 83%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While the rate on record since 2016 is 29%, the most recent reporting period shows an approval rate of 39%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your case.
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 important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to strengthen your claim.
