Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 63% approval rate covers your since-2016 record, the latest-period approval rate is 68%. This latest-period figure sits 5 points above the Columbus office average of 63%, 13 points above the Ohio state average of 55%, and 10 points above the national average of 58%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a stable look at recent trends.
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 Winfrey'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 August 2016, the approval pattern for Matthew Winfrey has shown fluctuations. After a low point in 2018, the rate saw an increase in 2020 before stabilizing in recent years. With 3,114 total decisions on record, the latest-period performance of 68% suggests a steady trend compared to the historical average. This recent data reflects a continuation of an established decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Winfrey'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 Columbus hearing office
Matthew Winfrey's most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office, which serves claimants across Ohio. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges and reported an office-wide approval rate of 63% in the latest period. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Columbus
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Columbus hearing office, with 6 of them having decided cases in the latest SSA file. Approval rates among this bench range from 34% to 83% 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
Judge Winfrey's latest-period approval rate of 68% is 5 points higher than the Columbus office average of 63%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over time. After an initial period, the rate rose to 76% in 2020 and has since stabilized at 68% in the most recent reporting period. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
Approval rates are statistical summaries of past decisions and do not predict the outcome of your individual hearing. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational documentation you provide. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your specific situation.
