Approval rates
The 57% approval rate for Timothy S. Snelling reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This can be evaluated against the 36% to 72% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Fresno Hearing Office. With 1,747 decisions on record, this data provides a consistent look at past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Snelling. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Snelling'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 Timothy S. Snelling has shown variation across 1,747 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 51% in 2016, the annual figures were 62% in 2017, 50% in 2018, 64% in 2019, and 65% in 2020.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Snelling'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 Fresno hearing office
The Fresno Hearing Office serves you in California. There are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 66%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence you present.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Fresno
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. At the Fresno Hearing Office, there are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a range of approval rates from 36% to 72% on their since-2016 records.
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
Timothy S. Snelling has a 57% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 36% to 72% range of approval rates for the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is the Fresno Hearing Office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Timothy S. Snelling has fluctuated over time, starting at 51% in 2016 and reaching 65% by 2020. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to the evidence in your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge, and an attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of who is assigned.
The 57% approval rate for Timothy S. Snelling is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of how your specific hearing will conclude. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is presented effectively to meet the necessary criteria.
