Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Judge Warner's 85% lifetime approval rate sits at the top of the 28% to 85% range seen among all judges on record at this office. In the most recent reporting period, the judge maintained an 86% approval rate, which is 34 percentage points higher than the 52% office-wide average. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
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 Warner'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 record for Judge Warner spans 1,139 decisions starting in 2023. The data shows a steady trend in approval rates, moving from 84% in 2024 to 86% in 2026. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation over the observed period. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Warner'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Salt Lake City hearing office
The Salt Lake City hearing office serves the Utah region. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges on record and currently reports an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 52%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Salt Lake City Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. There are 9 judges on record at this office since 2016, 4 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates vary significantly across this bench, ranging from 28% to 85% on a lifetime basis. You can prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to 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
Judge Warner has a lifetime approval rate of 85%, which is at the high end of the 28% to 85% range for all judges at the Salt Lake City office. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with the standards of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Judge Warner has remained steady, with 84% in 2024 and 86% in 2026. This consistency across 1,139 decisions provides a clear view of the judge's historical pattern. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary requirements of this judge.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of an SSDI hearing regardless of your assignment.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face.