Approval rates
To understand how Michael Schaefer compares to the broader bench, you can look at approval rates across the same data window. The 61% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 50% to 78% range established by the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Madison hearing office. While latest-period data provides a snapshot of recent activity, the long-term record offers a more stable view of decision-making history.
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 Schaefer'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 January 2016, Michael Schaefer has maintained a relatively steady approval pattern, with annual rates fluctuating between 51% and 75%. While you may note an increase in approvals during 2025, the limited data from the partial 2026 fiscal year does not represent a long-term shift. With 3,563 total decisions on record, this history provides a consistent baseline for understanding how cases have been handled over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schaefer'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 Madison hearing office
Michael Schaefer's most recent office on record is the Madison hearing office, which serves you if you are in the region. This office includes 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Madison
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Madison hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 50% to 78% since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Michael Schaefer has an approval rate of 61% since 2016, which falls within the 50% to 78% range of the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Madison hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for Michael Schaefer has seen yearly fluctuations, ranging from a low of 51% in 2021 to a high of 75% in 2017. While the rate reached 70% in 2025, the limited data from 2026 does not indicate a permanent trend. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the hearing office. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is the best way to ensure you are ready for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney by your side can help you present your evidence clearly and professionally.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Michael Schaefer's 61% rate since 2016 reflects a high volume of cases, but every individual case depends on the unique medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
