Approval rates
This table displays the approval rate for Jennifer Smiley based on 2,565 decisions on record between 2016 and 2023. Comparing this figure to the bench range of 26% to 63% for judges at NHC Chicago provides context on how her history aligns with local peers. These statistics are derived from a large volume of cases to ensure statistical confidence. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your hearing.
Judge Smiley is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Smiley isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Smiley'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, Jennifer Smiley has issued 2,565 decisions. The yearly approval rate reached 62% in 2017 before declining to 41% in 2021. Following this period, the rate was 51% in 2022 and 48% in 2023. This pattern reflects a fluctuating approach to case outcomes over the seven-year period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Smiley'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 NHC Chicago hearing office
NHC Chicago serves you and other claimants across Illinois and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 19 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal process where evidence quality and medical documentation remain the primary factors in your decision. You can see the NHC Chicago Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago, approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 26% to 63% 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
Jennifer Smiley has an approval rate of 53% on record since 2016. This places her within the range of 26% to 63% observed among the 19 judges whose most recent office on record is NHC Chicago. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might affect your specific case.
Yes, the approval rate for Jennifer Smiley has fluctuated over time. After reaching 62% in 2017, the rate trended downward to 41% in 2021 before adjusting to 48% in 2023. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of these historical shifts.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the standards of any judge assigned to you.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While the 53% rate for Jennifer Smiley provides historical context, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your case file.
