Approval rates
The approval rate for Kathleen H. Switzer is based on a record of 1,246 decisions issued between 2016 and 2020. When evaluating this figure, consider that the Salt Lake City hearing office bench shows a wide range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 28% to 85%. Aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than individual hearing outcomes.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Switzer. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Switzer'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 decision pattern for Kathleen H. Switzer has remained consistent over her time on the record. From 2016 through 2019, her annual approval rates hovered between 75% and 78%. While there was a shift in 2020, this occurred over a smaller volume of 47 decisions. This stability suggests a predictable approach to evaluating disability claims, though the specific evidence in your file remains the primary driver of your hearing outcome.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Switzer'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 Salt Lake City hearing office
The Salt Lake City hearing office serves claimants throughout Utah and the surrounding region. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges on record who manage a volume of disability appeals. Claimants can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 9 judges on record at this office since 2016. Because approval rates across this bench vary significantly from 28% to 85%, the judge you draw can influence the procedural flow of your case.
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
Kathleen H. Switzer sits within a bench where lifetime approval rates range from 28% to 85%. With a 77% approval rate, she is on the higher end of that spectrum compared to her peers at the Salt Lake City office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards expected in her courtroom.
Her approval rate has been steady, maintaining a range of 75% to 78% for most of the years between 2016 and 2019. While the data shows an uptick in 2020, this was based on a smaller sample of 47 decisions. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Since you cannot control the assignment, focusing on the strength of your medical record with an attorney is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned by the judge and potentially a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform past or other work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and consistent.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. While Kathleen H. Switzer has approved 960 cases out of 1,246 total decisions, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your file is complete and ready for review.