Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The table below displays Susan Toth's 37% SSDI approval rate on record since 2016 against the range of 37% to 67% seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is the Wichita Hearing Office. We also provide the latest-period figures to show how recent trends compare to the office, state, and national averages. These 3,116 decisions on record provide the statistical foundation for these comparisons.
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 Toth'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
Since November 2016, your approval rate for Susan Toth has fluctuated. After reaching a low of 27% in 2021, the rate climbed to 48% in 2024 before settling at 28% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. With 3,116 total decisions on record, this pattern highlights how approval rates can shift over time. The latest period reflects a departure from the mid-range averages seen in recent years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Toth'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 Wichita hearing office
Susan Toth's most recent office on record is the Wichita Hearing Office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves you if you are in the region and operates as part of the broader SSA network. With 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains a consistent volume of hearings. You can expect a formal process focused on your medical and vocational evidence.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Wichita
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench range from 37% to 67% on their records since 2016. 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
Susan Toth has a 37% approval rate on record since 2016, which is at the lower end of the 37% to 67% range seen among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Wichita Hearing Office. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 3,116 decisions on record since November 2016. It reached a peak of 48% in 2024 before moving to 28% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you build a stronger case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 37% approval rate on record since 2016 describes past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing.
