Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. Richard N. Staples' 45% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 33% to 77% range observed among the bench at the Kansas City office. Because these figures represent a large volume of cases, they provide a reliable view of historical decision patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Staples. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Staples'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 Richard N. Staples has fluctuated across the 2,305 decisions on record since 2016. After reaching a peak of 51% in 2019, the approval rate saw a decline in subsequent years, reaching 37% in 2021 before rising to 43% in 2022. This pattern reflects the inherent variability in case evidence and legal requirements over time. The recent 2022 data suggests a shift from the lower rates observed in 2021, though it remains below the 2019 high.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Staples'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 Kansas City hearing office
Richard N. Staples' most recent office on record is the Kansas City hearing office, with decisions there through September 2022. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 17 judges. While the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 56%, your individual outcome depends heavily on the specific medical evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Kansas City
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kansas City office, with approval rates ranging from 33% to 77% on their since-2016 records. Twelve of these judges decided cases here in SSA's latest file. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
Richard N. Staples has a 45% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 33% to 77% range of approval rates for the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Kansas City office. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate has varied over the 2,305 decisions on record since 2016. It reached a high of 51% in 2019 and a low of 37% in 2021, with the most recent 2022 data showing a 43% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Kansas City office. Because assignment is random, it is vital to focus on building a strong case with an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial 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 for the specific questions Richard N. Staples or any other judge may ask.
The 45% approval rate on record since 2016 for Richard N. Staples is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
