Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 50% approval rate since 2016 provides a baseline when measured against the 48% to 78% range of other judges at the Spokane office. In the most recent reporting period, the 47% approval rate compares against the office rate of 69%, the state rate of 61%, and the national rate of 58%.
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 Shumway'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, Jesse K. Shumway has issued 3,864 decisions. The approval rate has fluctuated over this period, showing a peak of 57% in 2024 before reaching 47% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. These variations reflect changes in the specific mix of cases or the evidence presented in your hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Shumway'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 Spokane hearing office
Jesse K. Shumway's most recent office on record is the Spokane hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 69%, you can expect a rigorous review process.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Spokane
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Spokane office. Approval rates across this bench vary, ranging from 48% to 78% 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 Shumway has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 48% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Spokane hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this bench.
The approval rate has seen yearly fluctuations, starting at 56% in 2016 and reaching 47% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. While these shifts occur, they do not necessarily indicate a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of recent trends.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney to prepare a strong, evidence-based case is vital. An attorney can help you prepare your case for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is organized for the judge.
The 50% approval rate on record since 2016 describes past outcomes, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence before you appear before the judge.
