Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 88% approval rate for Steven C. Smith reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 43% to 88% range observed among the bench of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids. These figures provide context regarding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Smith. 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 Smith'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 Steven C. Smith has remained steady across the 176 decisions on record since 2016. In 2016, the judge approved 87% of cases, followed by an 88% approval rate in 2017. This consistent pattern suggests a stable approach to evaluating your evidence and testimony over the period recorded.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Smith'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 Grand Rapids hearing office
Steven C. Smith's most recent office on record is the Grand Rapids hearing office, with decisions there through September 2017. This office serves you across the region, operating with a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the focus remains on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids, with approval rates on their since-2016 records ranging from 43% to 88%. While these variations exist, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability remain consistent across the entire bench.
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
Steven C. Smith has an 88% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the high end of the 43% to 88% range seen among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Grand Rapids. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Steven C. Smith has remained steady, moving from 87% in 2016 to 88% in 2017. This consistency across 176 decisions on record suggests a stable approach to case evaluation. A qualified attorney can help you understand how this history might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. Working with an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Steven C. Smith has an 88% approval rate on record since 2016, every case is decided based on its own unique medical and vocational evidence. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
