Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. The data below contrasts the 52% approval rate on record since 2016 against the broader range of 32% to 76% seen among the bench at the Florence office. We also examine the latest reporting period to see how current trends compare to national and state averages. These figures are derived from thousands of decisions, providing a stable statistical foundation for your research.
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 Lori J. Williams has fluctuated over the last decade. Since the record began in 2016, the judge has issued 3,453 decisions, with yearly approval rates ranging from 46% to 58%. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 55% approval rate. This latest period reflects a continuation of the judge's established decision-making pattern.
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 Florence hearing office
The most recent office on record for Lori J. Williams is the Florence hearing office, which serves claimants across Alabama. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges who handle a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 47%, providing a local benchmark for your comparison.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Florence
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Florence hearing office, 6 of whom decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 76% since 2016.
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
Lori J. Williams has a 52% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 76% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Florence. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific judge.
The approval rate for Lori J. Williams has fluctuated over time, starting at 50% in 2016 and reaching 55% in the most recent 2026 reporting period. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases being heard. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate the strengths of your claim regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to prepare your evidence is the best way to ensure your case is ready for any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical records are properly presented.
The 52% approval rate for Lori J. Williams is a historical statistic, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence to build the strongest possible case.
