Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While your judge's overall approval rate on record since 2026 is 63%, recent data shows a 64% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 8 percentage points above the Houston North office average of 56%. These statistics are based on 219 decisions on record since 2026.
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 Williams'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 Harry L. Williams has remained steady during the 2026 fiscal year to date. With 219 decisions on record since 2026, the data provides a consistent look at how cases have been handled. The latest-period approval rate of 64% aligns closely with the overall record, suggesting a stable approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Williams'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 Houston North hearing office
Harry L. Williams's most recent office on record is the Houston North hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves you in the Texas region and maintains a bench of 12 judges. The office-wide approval rate for the latest period is 56%, providing a local benchmark for comparison.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Houston North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Houston North office. Approval rates among this bench range from 34% to 64% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains 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
In the latest reporting period, Harry L. Williams maintained a 64% approval rate, which is 8 percentage points higher than the 56% average for the Houston North office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Since 2026, Harry L. Williams has maintained a 63% approval rate across 219 decisions on record. The latest-period rate of 64% indicates that the decision pattern has remained steady. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence of your disability. You will likely be asked questions about your medical history and your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and is not a prediction of how your individual case will be decided. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
