Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 75% approval rate for Charles A. Thigpen reflects all 1,362 decisions on record since 2016. This is measured against the 21% to 92% range of the 17 other judges whose most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Thigpen. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Thigpen'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 Charles A. Thigpen was 75% in 2016 and 2017, rose to 82% in 2018, and was 66% in 2019. These fluctuations across 1,362 total decisions on record since 2016 reflect how case mix and evidence quality influence outcomes over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Thigpen'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
Charles A. Thigpen's most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office, which serves you in Alabama. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you may encounter a variety of judicial perspectives during your hearing. You can visit the Montgomery hearing office page to see the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Montgomery
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 92% on their since-2016 records. Understanding the bench at your hearing office is a standard part of your case preparation.
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
Charles A. Thigpen has a 75% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 92% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Montgomery hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 1,362 decisions on record. While the judge maintained a 75% approval rate in 2016 and 2017, it rose to 82% in 2018 before settling at 66% in 2019. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot influence this assignment, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for any judge.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
The 75% approval rate for Charles A. Thigpen is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
