Approval rates
Judge Robert Rideout has established a track record over his 10 years on the bench. His recent approval rate of 73% compares to the Raleigh Hearing Office average of 62% and the national average of 58%. This data is derived from a large volume of cases, providing a view of his decision-making history. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual 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 Rideout'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
Over the past decade, Judge Rideout has maintained a steady approach to disability adjudication. Recent years show a trend of consistency, with an 81% approval rate recorded in 2025. This pattern suggests a stable judicial philosophy that remains aligned with the needs of claimants presenting robust medical evidence. The recent data reflects a continuation of this steady pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Rideout'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.
Hearing with Judge Rideout? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Raleigh hearing office
The Raleigh Hearing Office serves a population of claimants across North Carolina, managing a volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains a focus on processing complex medical and vocational evidence. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your work history and functional limitations. You can see the Raleigh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. Approval rates across the Raleigh Hearing Office bench vary, ranging from 40% to 72% among the 6 judges currently serving. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical documentation is the most effective way to prepare. The guidance for your case remains the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.