Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 77% approval rate covers the entire period since 2016, recent performance shows an 88% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure is 13 percentage points above the Mobile office average of 75%. With over 3,000 decisions on record, the data provides a stable view of past activity.
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 Sheely'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 trend for Ben E. Sheely has varied since 2016. After fluctuating between 65% and 78% for much of the record, the approval rate reached 88% in the latest reporting period. This recent uptick reflects a departure from earlier yearly averages. Such patterns often shift due to changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sheely'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 Mobile hearing office
The Mobile hearing office serves you across Alabama and the surrounding region. It maintains a bench of 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 75%, providing a baseline for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mobile
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Mobile office, and 10 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this group range from 28% to 81% based 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
Judge Sheely has an approval rate of 77% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 28% to 81% seen among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Mobile office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. While the rate was 71% in 2016, it reached 88% in the latest reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. A qualified attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony effectively.
The 77% approval rate on record since 2016 represents past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing.
