Approval rates
Comparing performance requires looking at consistent data windows. While Fredric Roberson has a 57% approval rate since 2017, his latest-period approval rate stands at 63%. This latest figure sits 1 percentage point below the Indianapolis office average of 64%, while remaining 5 points above the national average of 58%. These metrics are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a stable basis for analysis.
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 Roberson'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 2017, Fredric Roberson has presided over 3,907 decisions. His approval trend shows variation, starting at 72% in 2017 before moving to 44% in 2018. Since that period, the rate has shown a steady climb, reaching 63% in the most recent partial year of 2026. This latest period suggests a return to higher approval levels compared to his multi-year average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Roberson'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 Indianapolis hearing office
The Indianapolis hearing office serves claimants across Indiana and is a key hub for regional disability processing. With a bench of 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 64%. You can expect a high volume of hearings, where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Indianapolis
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Indianapolis hearing office, there are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this group vary widely, ranging from 43% to 75% on their since-2016 records.
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
Fredric Roberson's latest-period approval rate of 63% is very close to the Indianapolis office average of 64%. While he sits near the middle of the local bench, approval rates among the 20 judges at this office range from 43% to 75%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Fredric Roberson has fluctuated since 2017. After an initial high of 72%, the rate moved to 44% in 2018 before beginning a steady, multi-year climb to 63% in 2026. 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 uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony to ensure your limitations are clearly documented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While Fredric Roberson has approved 57% of cases since 2017, the outcome of your hearing depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for review.
