Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. Harry E. Siegrist's 67% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a clear view of past activity, which can be measured against the 23% to 86% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office. With 376 decisions on record, the data offers a stable look at past trends.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Siegrist. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Siegrist'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 rate for Harry E. Siegrist has remained relatively steady throughout the period of available data. In 2016, the judge recorded a 68% approval rate across 326 decisions, followed by a 66% approval rate across 231 decisions in 2017. This consistent pattern across 376 total decisions on record since 2016 suggests a stable approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Siegrist'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 Atlanta Downtown hearing office
The Atlanta Downtown hearing office serves you if you are in the region. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, which has seen a variety of outcomes across its bench. You can expect a standard hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor in a favorable decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Atlanta Downtown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 23% to 86%. This variance highlights why understanding the general landscape of your hearing office is useful.
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
Harry E. Siegrist has an approval rate of 67% on record since 2016. This sits within the 23% to 86% range of approval rates for the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Atlanta Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Harry E. Siegrist has remained steady, moving from 68% in 2016 to 66% in 2017. This consistency is based on 376 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about your upcoming hearing, an attorney can help you review your case evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you organize your testimony and medical evidence effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
