Approval rates
The approval rate for Randolph E. Schum is based on 2,796 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing this to the broader bench, judges whose most recent office on record is the Phoenix North office show a wide range of approval rates, from 28% to 72%. These aggregate rates reflect past decisions rather than predictions for your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Schum. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Schum'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, the approval rate for Randolph E. Schum has remained relatively steady. With 2,796 total decisions on record, the data provides a look at his decision-making history. While the rate reached 34% in 2017, recent years have seen the approval rate fluctuate between 24% and 28%. This pattern reflects his consistent approach to evaluating evidence in your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schum'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 Phoenix North hearing office
The Phoenix North hearing office serves you and other claimants across Arizona and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data, there are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Phoenix North Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Phoenix North office, and their approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 72%. Because of this variance, it is helpful to understand the general landscape of the office.
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
Randolph E. Schum has an approval rate of 28% on record since 2016. This is at the lower end of the 28% to 72% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Phoenix North office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
The approval rate for Randolph E. Schum has remained within a consistent range since 2016, with 2,796 total decisions on record. While there have been yearly variations, such as a 34% rate in 2017 and a 28% rate in 2025, the overall pattern has been steady. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot predict your judge, it is best to focus on building a strong, evidence-based case with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
