Approval rates
Comparing the approval rate of Jonathan T. Shoenholz to the broader bench provides context for how cases are handled in the Columbia SC office. While his 66% approval rate since 2018 sits within the 50% to 81% range observed among his peers at this office, recent data shows his latest-period approval rate of 70% is 8 points higher than the office average of 62%. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation.
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 Shoenholz'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 2018, the approval rate for Jonathan T. Shoenholz has shown a varied trend. After an initial 73% approval rate in 2018, the figures fluctuated, dipping to 61% in 2025 before rising to 70% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. With 3,054 total decisions on record, this pattern demonstrates that the approach to evidence and case requirements has evolved over time. The recent uptick in the latest period reflects a departure from the lower rates seen in the preceding year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shoenholz'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 Columbia SC hearing office
The Columbia SC hearing office serves you throughout South Carolina and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in July 2026, this office is staffed by a bench of 12 judges who collectively manage a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 62%, reflecting the local standards for evidence and disability criteria.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbia SC
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 Columbia SC office, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 50% to 81% 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
Jonathan T. Shoenholz has an approval rate of 66% since 2018, which falls within the 50% to 81% range of his peers at the Columbia SC office. In the latest reporting period, his 70% approval rate is 8 points higher than the office average of 62%. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the 3,054 decisions on record. It began at 73% in 2018, saw a low of 61% in 2025, and reached 70% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how Jonathan T. Shoenholz will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it aligns with SSA disability requirements. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence and strengthen your claim before the hearing.
