Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While the 92% approval rate covers all 239 decisions on record since 2026, the latest-period figures provide a more immediate look at recent trends. In the latest period, this 92% approval rate sits 21 points above the Montgomery office average of 71%. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than individual case outcomes.
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 Strong'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 92% approval rate is based on 239 decisions on record since 2026. During 2026, a 92% approval rate was recorded across the docket. This recent data indicates a high rate of allowance compared to broader benchmarks. Because the data window is limited to this recent period, the pattern reflects a consistent approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Strong'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 Montgomery hearing office
C. Rene Strong's most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves claimants across Alabama. The bench consists of 17 judges with varying approval rates, and the office-wide approval rate for the latest period is 71%. You can generally expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Montgomery
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office, and 9 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 21% to 92% on their records. 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
C. Rene Strong has an approval rate of 92% on record since 2026. This is 21 points higher than the Montgomery office's latest-period approval rate of 71%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate has remained steady at 92% during the 2026 fiscal year to date. Because this data covers a recent window, it reflects a consistent pattern of decision-making. 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 a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you build a strong case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you demonstrate your limitations. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
