Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 59% approval rate for Jennifer A. Simmons reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be evaluated against the 31% to 75% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. With 999 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Simmons. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Simmons'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 Jennifer A. Simmons has shown a steady upward trend across the 999 decisions on record since 2016. Starting at 50% in 2016, the rate increased to 57% in 2017 and 69% in 2018, reaching 78% in 2019. This progression indicates a shift in outcomes over the four-year window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Simmons'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 Denver hearing office
Jennifer A. Simmons's most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office, which serves claimants across Colorado. With 22 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the bench provides a wide range of experience. You can see the Denver hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Denver
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 Denver hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 31% to 75% on their since-2016 records. Nine of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file from July 2026.
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
Jennifer A. Simmons has a 59% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 31% to 75% range of the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Denver hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for your specific hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Jennifer A. Simmons has trended upward, moving from 50% in 2016 to 78% in 2019. This data reflects 999 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with these trends.
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. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
The 59% approval rate for Jennifer A. Simmons is a summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
