Approval rates
Judge Storey has established a consistent record during his 3 years on the bench, with a 71% lifetime approval rate. This performance is higher than the Macon Hearing Office latest average of 48% and the national average of 58%. Because these statistics are derived from a substantial docket of 1,924 lifetime decisions, they provide a look at historical trends. 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 Storey'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
Judge Storey has maintained a steady approval rate throughout his tenure. His annual data shows a consistent pattern, with approval rates of 71% in 2016, 70% in 2017, and 71% in 2018. This stability across 1,924 lifetime decisions suggests a predictable approach to evaluating disability evidence. The latest reporting period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Storey'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.
Hearing with Judge Storey? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Macon hearing office
The Macon Hearing Office serves a broad population across Georgia, managing a high volume of SSDI and SSI claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office operates under standard SSA procedures for disability adjudication. The office-wide latest approval rate currently stands at 48%. You can visit the Macon Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. Within the Macon Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 30% to 71%. This variance highlights why focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective strategy for your hearing. You can find more information on the Macon Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.