Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 52% approval rate for Timothy C. Scallen is based on 2,543 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 36% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park, this figure helps you understand the local landscape. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Scallen. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Scallen'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 Timothy C. Scallen has fluctuated over the years across the 2,543 decisions on record since 2016. After reaching 57% in 2019, the rate shifted to 50% in 2022. These yearly trends reflect the changing nature of the cases heard during this period, showing that decision-making remains responsive to the specific evidence and case mix presented in each hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Scallen'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 Oak Park hearing office
Timothy C. Scallen's most recent office on record is the Oak Park hearing office, which serves you in Michigan. With 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you can expect a review process focused on your medical documentation and vocational evidence. You can see the Oak Park Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park, with approval rates ranging from 36% to 83% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge brings a different perspective to the hearing room, understanding the office-wide bench is a helpful part of your preparation.
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
Timothy C. Scallen has an approval rate of 52% across 2,543 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 36% to 83% range observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is Oak Park. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Timothy C. Scallen has shown some variation, moving from 51% in 2016 to 50% in 2022. These shifts are common as case types and evidence standards evolve over time. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations, work history, and symptoms. An attorney can help you present your evidence clearly and effectively during this process.
