Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record requires looking at consistent data periods. While Jonathan T. Shoenholz maintains a 66% lifetime approval rate, his most recent reporting period shows a 70% approval rate. This latest figure sits 8 points above the Columbia SC office average of 62%, 10 points above the state average, and 12 points above the national average.
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
The decision record for Jonathan T. Shoenholz, spanning from 2018 to 2026, shows a fluctuating but generally consistent approval trend. After starting at 73% in 2018, the rate saw a period of decline before rebounding to 70% in the most recent reporting period. With 3,054 total decisions on record, the data suggests that while yearly outcomes vary, the judge maintains a steady approach to evaluating your disability claim.
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 and other claimants throughout the region, managing a diverse caseload of SSDI applications. With 11 judges on record, the office maintains an average latest-period approval rate of 62%. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Columbia SC Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. The Columbia SC bench includes 11 judges on record since 2016, 6 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. These judges show a wide range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 50% to 76%.
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 currently holds a 70% approval rate in the latest reporting period, which is 8 percentage points higher than the Columbia SC office average of 62%. Because approval rates vary significantly across the bench, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Jonathan T. Shoenholz has fluctuated over his 3,054 decisions on record since 2018. While he reached 73% in 2018 and saw a low of 61% in 2025, his most recent data shows a return to 70%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to the current evidence requirements for your claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated, random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges within a hearing office. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your functional limitations. You will likely be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform past or other work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will face.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. While Jonathan T. Shoenholz has a 66% lifetime approval rate, your success depends primarily on the quality and completeness of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify and present the evidence most likely to support your case.