Approval rates
Evaluating your judge's approval rate requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 72% approval rate for Sarah B. Stewart is based on 684 decisions on record since 2016, which compares to the 35% to 72% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Greenville. This comparison provides a clearer picture of how individual decision patterns fit within the local bench.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Stewart. 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 Stewart'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 Sarah B. Stewart remained steady throughout the available data window of January 2016 to September 2017. With 684 total decisions on record, you can see a 73% approval rate in 2016 and a 71% rate in 2017. This consistent performance indicates a stable approach to case evaluation over the period recorded.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Stewart'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 Greenville hearing office
Sarah B. Stewart's most recent office on record is the Greenville hearing office, which serves claimants across South Carolina. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the bench handles a diverse range of medical and vocational evidence. You can view the Greenville Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Greenville
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Greenville, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 35% to 72%. While individual rates vary, the procedural requirements for your hearing remain consistent across the 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
Sarah B. Stewart has a 72% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 35% to 72% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Greenville. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Sarah B. Stewart held steady, moving from 73% in 2016 to 71% in 2017. This consistency is based on 684 total decisions on record. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and ensure your documentation is complete.
