Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 71% approval rate for Caroline Siderius represents her entire record since 2016, which is measured against the 48% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Spokane. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding the judge's history. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Siderius. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Siderius'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 Caroline Siderius has shown variation over the years, starting at 68% in 2016 and reaching 77% in 2025. With 1,538 decisions on record since January 2016, the data indicates a shift in recent years compared to the earlier period. While the rate fluctuated between 65% and 74% from 2016 through 2023, the most recent data from 2024 and 2025 shows a higher approval frequency.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Siderius'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
The Spokane Hearing Office serves you if you are in Washington and the surrounding region. It is home to a bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 69%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Spokane
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Spokane Hearing Office, and their approval rates vary from 48% to 78%. While you cannot choose your judge, understanding the range of outcomes at your hearing office can help you set expectations.
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
Caroline Siderius has a 71% approval rate on record since 2016. This places her within the 48% to 78% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Spokane. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Caroline Siderius has fluctuated over time. While she maintained a rate between 65% and 74% for much of the period between 2016 and 2023, her approval rate rose to 85% in 2024 and 77% in 2025. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific case.
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 important to be prepared for any judge by working with an attorney who understands the hearing process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You, your attorney, and potentially a vocational expert or medical expert will participate. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are organized for the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a guarantee of how your case will be decided. While Caroline Siderius has a 71% approval rate on record, the outcome of your hearing depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a case that addresses the specific requirements of the Social Security Administration.
