Approval rates
This table compares the approval rate of Kathleen Scully-Hayes against the broader bench at the St Petersburg FL OHO. We look at the judge's since-2016 record of 2,020 decisions against the office's bench range of 35% to 85%. Additionally, we examine the most recent reporting period to see how the judge's latest performance aligns with regional and national averages.
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 Scully-Hayes'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 2016, the approval rate for Kathleen Scully-Hayes has moved from 74% in 2016 to a peak of 78% in 2023. With 2,020 total decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of how the judge has approached cases over the last decade. While the latest reporting period shows a 100% approval rate across 3 decisions, this partial data serves as a snapshot rather than a long-term shift.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Scully-Hayes'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 St Petersburg Fl OHO hearing office
Kathleen Scully-Hayes's most recent office on record is the St Petersburg FL OHO, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the Florida region and maintains a bench of 17 judges. You can expect a standard hearing process where evidence quality remains the primary factor in your outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Petersburg Fl OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Petersburg FL OHO, with 5 of them deciding cases in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 35% to 85% 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
Kathleen Scully-Hayes has an approval rate of 69% across 2,020 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 35% to 85% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for Kathleen Scully-Hayes has fluctuated over time, starting at 74% in 2016 and reaching 78% in 2023. While the latest partial data from 2026 shows a 100% rate, this is based on only 3 decisions. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy based on these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to focus on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of a qualified attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
The 69% approval rate for Kathleen Scully-Hayes is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends on the specific medical documentation you provide. An attorney can help you determine if your case meets the necessary criteria for approval.
