Approval rates
The 66% approval rate for Scott A. Tews reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This compares to the 32% to 83% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Miami. This range demonstrates how much individual judicial patterns vary within the same office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Tews. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Tews'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 66% approval rate for Scott A. Tews is based on 357 decisions on record since January 2016. During this period, the approval rate was 66% throughout 2016. This data window captures a consistent period of activity, providing a view of the judge's historical decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Tews'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 Miami hearing office
The Miami hearing office serves claimants across the region. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims. You can see the Miami hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Miami
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 Miami, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 32% to 83%.
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
Scott A. Tews has an approval rate of 66% based on 357 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 83% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is Miami. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate for Scott A. Tews remained 66% across the 357 decisions on record since 2016. An attorney can help you understand how this might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ 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 your testimony and organize your medical records.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While it provides context on the judge's history, the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare accordingly.
