Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While Brian Saame has a 63% approval rate on record since 2016, his latest-period performance shows a 65% approval rate, which sits 11 percentage points above the Chicago office average of 54%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a stable look at past decision-making trends.
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 Saame'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 rate for Brian Saame has fluctuated since 2016. After a rate of 47% in 2018, the annual approval rate reached 76% in 2025. The latest period, covering 102 decisions, shows a 65% approval rate. This pattern suggests that while individual years vary, the approach to evidence and case requirements has remained consistent over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Saame'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 Chicago hearing office
The Chicago hearing office serves you and other claimants across Illinois and the surrounding region. It maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 54%, you should be prepared for a rigorous review of your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, and 8 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 41% to 82% 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
Brian Saame has an approval rate of 63% on his record since 2016. Among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, approval rates range from 41% to 82%. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
Brian Saame's approval rate has fluctuated over time, with a 63% rate on record since 2016 and a 65% rate in the most recent reporting period. These variations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths regardless of these trends.
No. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, and you cannot choose your judge. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney to prepare a strong, evidence-based case is the best way to approach your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be asked questions by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence and prepare for your hearing.
