Approval rates
The 70% approval rate for Jessica H. Pugrud reflects her total decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 32% to 70% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Billings hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Pugrud. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Pugrud'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 Jessica H. Pugrud shows a shift over the period from January 2016 to September 2018. With 332 total decisions on record, the annual approval rate moved from 73% in 2016 to 68% in 2017, and 63% in 2018.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pugrud'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 Billings hearing office
The Billings hearing office is the most recent office on record for 13 judges as of September 2018. You can view the hearing office page for more information on the local bench.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Billings
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and their approval rates vary, ranging from 32% to 70%.
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
Jessica H. Pugrud has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016. This places her at the top of the range for the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Billings hearing office, where rates span from 32% to 70%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in the approval rate over the period from 2016 to 2018. The rate moved from 73% in 2016 to 68% in 2017, and 63% in 2018 across 332 total decisions on record. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for any judge you might draw.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the assigned judge.
