Approval rates
The approval rates for Stewart Stallings are based on 3,439 decisions recorded since 2016. When evaluating these figures, it is helpful to compare them against the 48% to 78% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Spokane. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's approval rate of 72% sits above the office, state, and national benchmarks. These aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Stallings'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 trend for Stewart Stallings has shown variance since 2016. After a period of decline reaching a low in 2022, the data shows an upward trend in recent years, with the latest period reflecting a continuation of this pattern. These shifts often correlate with changes in case mix or the quality of evidence presented. The recent figures suggest a higher rate of favorable outcomes compared to the long-term average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Stallings'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 Spokane hearing office
Stewart Stallings's most recent office on record is the Spokane hearing office, with data through July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 7 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 69%, providing a local benchmark for your hearing.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Spokane
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Spokane, and 4 of them decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 48% to 78% on their records since 2016. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Judge Stallings has a 63% approval rate since 2016, which falls within the 48% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Spokane. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Judge Stallings has fluctuated, showing a recent upward trend compared to the 2021-2022 period. With 3,439 decisions on record, these patterns provide context for your hearing. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your case.
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 for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the judge.
The 63% approval rate for Judge Stallings represents a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and the strength of your claim. An attorney can help you identify the evidence needed to build a strong case.
