Approval rates
Judge Werner’s approval rate is calculated from a docket of 6,354 lifetime decisions. In the most recent reporting period, this judge approved cases at a rate 10 points higher than the Wichita Hearing Office average and 4 points above the national average. These comparisons provide a baseline for understanding how these decisions have historically aligned with broader trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Werner'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
Over a 3-year tenure, your judge's approval patterns have shown variance, peaking at 68% in 2017 before adjusting to 59% in 2018. This fluctuation suggests that while the judge maintains a consistent baseline, the specific evidence and case mix presented in any given year can influence outcomes. These trends highlight the importance of presenting a well-documented case regardless of year-to-year shifts.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Werner'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.
Hearing with Judge Werner? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Wichita hearing office
The Wichita Hearing Office serves a broad population across Kansas, managing a high volume of disability claims. With an office-wide latest approval rate of 52%, the environment is one where thorough medical documentation is essential for a successful outcome. You can expect a formal process focused on the specific criteria outlined in 20 CFR Part 404. You can visit the Wichita Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot choose your judge. Within the Wichita Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 38% to 66%. Because of this variance, the judge you are assigned can play a role in your hearing process. You can find more information on the Wichita Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.