Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While you may see a 56% approval rate for Jeffrey Raeber on record since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 68%, which is 3 points above the MT Pleasant MI office average of 65%. These figures describe past decisions rather than predicting your individual outcome.
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 Raeber'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 January 2016, Jeffrey Raeber has issued 2,795 decisions. His yearly approval rates have fluctuated, moving from 47% in 2021 to 68% in the latest reporting period. This recent shift reflects the most current trends in his docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Raeber'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 Mt Pleasant MI hearing office
Jeffrey Raeber's most recent office on record is the MT Pleasant MI hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 65%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mt Pleasant MI
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly, so you cannot choose your judge. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the MT Pleasant MI hearing office, and their approval rates range from 30% to 63% on their records 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
Jeffrey Raeber's latest-period approval rate of 68% is 3 points higher than the MT Pleasant MI office average of 65%. Your specific case outcome depends on the medical evidence you provide, and an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Jeffrey Raeber has fluctuated, ranging from a low of 47% in 2021 to 68% in the latest reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An approval rate is a statistical observation based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Jeffrey Raeber has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to strengthen your claim.
