Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Andrew G. Sloss has an approval rate of 53% across 3,939 decisions on record since January 2016. This sits within the 42% to 81% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, Andrew G. Sloss approved 64% of cases, which is 4 percentage points higher than the Flint office average of 60%. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
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 Sloss'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
Your approval rate has shown an upward trend since 2016. While the rate began at 44% in 2016, it has remained above 60% in recent years, reaching 64% in the most recent fiscal year to date. This pattern indicates a shift in outcomes compared to the record starting in 2016. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, suggesting that recent decisions are aligned with the higher approval rates observed since 2022.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Sloss'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 Flint hearing office
The Flint hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, which maintains an office-wide approval rate of 60% in the latest period. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on the medical and vocational evidence you present. You can see the Flint Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Flint
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 42% to 81% on their since-2016 records. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Andrew G. Sloss has an approval rate of 53% on record since 2016. This places him within the range of 42% to 81% observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Flint hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Andrew G. Sloss has trended upward over time. While the rate was 44% in 2016, it has reached 64% in the most recent reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your daily activities and work limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your case and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
