Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 59% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a baseline, while the latest-period figures allow for a more current view of decision trends. These statistics are derived from 3,495 decisions on record, offering a look at past outcomes.
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 Skidmore'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 2016, your approval rate for David Skidmore has shown variation, with a peak of 71% in 2022 and more recent figures settling near 61% in the latest period. This 3,495-decision record reveals a pattern that has fluctuated over the years. The latest-period approval rate of 61% sits 7 points above the Chicago office average of 54%, indicating a recent divergence from the local bench.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Skidmore'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 Chicago hearing office
David Skidmore's most recent office on record is the Chicago Hearing Office, which serves claimants across Illinois. This office is home to 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 54%, you can expect a review of your medical evidence and work history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 8 of them having decided cases in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates among this bench range from 41% to 82% on their records 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
In the latest reporting period, the approval rate was 61%, which is 7 points higher than the Chicago office average of 54%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the years, ranging from a low of 51% in 2018 to a high of 71% in 2022. Understanding these historical patterns is part of how an attorney can help you build a stronger case for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you or a vocational expert. Having an attorney can help you navigate this process and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
The 59% approval rate on record since 2016 represents past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and an attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with SSA criteria.
