Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. Nicole Quandt's 59% approval rate since 2017 provides a broad view of her decision history, while her latest-period rate of 71% shows a more recent trend. These figures are best understood alongside the 42% to 81% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint office.
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 Quandt'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 April 2017, Nicole Quandt has issued 3,507 decisions. Her yearly approval trend shows a period of stability followed by a recent upward shift. While her approval rate on record is 59%, the latest reporting period shows a 71% approval rate, which is 11 points higher than the Flint office average of 60%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Quandt'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 Flint hearing office
Nicole Quandt's most recent office on record is the Flint office, which serves you across Michigan. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 60%, providing a benchmark for the region.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Flint
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint office, and 4 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 42% to 81%.
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
Nicole Quandt has an approval rate of 59% since 2017, which sits within the 42% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns over time. While her overall rate since 2017 is 59%, her latest-period approval rate is 71%. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to the evidence in your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to present the strongest possible case.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of a future outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you determine if your evidence is sufficient for a favorable decision.
