Approval rates
The approval rates for Mary Ann Poulose reflect a history of decision-making within the Chicago hearing office. By comparing her lifetime record against the office-wide range of 41% to 82%, you can see how her patterns align with local peers. We rely on 3,012 lifetime decisions to provide this statistical confidence. These figures represent historical trends rather than a fixed outcome for your 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 Poulose'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 record for Mary Ann Poulose has shown an upward trend. While her lifetime approval rate sits at 44%, her performance in the latest reporting period reached 59%. This shift represents a departure from earlier years, such as 2019, where the rate was lower. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent pattern, which may be influenced by changes in case evidence or the specific mix of claims you and others present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Poulose'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 Chicago hearing office
The Chicago hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 16 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 54%, providing a benchmark for local proceedings. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Chicago Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to Mary Ann Poulose is essentially random. There are 16 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 82%. Your preparation remains consistent 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
Mary Ann Poulose has a lifetime approval rate of 44%, which sits within the 41% to 82% range observed across the 16 judges on record at the Chicago office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After a period of lower approval rates in 2019, the rate for Mary Ann Poulose has trended upward, reaching 59% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process to ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 44% lifetime approval rate for Mary Ann Poulose is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a stronger case to meet the judge's standards.