Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Laura Roberts has an approval rate of 54% across her record since 2019, her latest-period performance shows a 64% approval rate, which is 10 percentage points higher than the Fort Worth office average of 54%. These figures are based on 3,308 decisions on record. 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 Roberts'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 trend for Laura Roberts has fluctuated since 2019, moving from 51% in 2019 to 64% in the latest reporting period. With 3,308 total decisions on record, the data shows a pattern of variability that shifted notably in 2022 and 2026. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent trend.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Roberts'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 Fort Worth hearing office
Laura Roberts's most recent office on record is Fort Worth, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 15 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 54%, providing a baseline for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fort Worth
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 32% to 63% 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
Laura Roberts's latest-period approval rate of 64% is 10 percentage points higher than the Fort Worth office average of 54%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of the judge assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Laura Roberts has shifted over time. Starting at 51% in 2019, her rate has varied annually, reaching 64% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case that meets the standards of any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
