Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes. While the record since 2016 provides a broad view of history, the latest-period performance shows an approval rate of 68%, which can be measured against the Santa Barbara office's 69% rate. With 2,487 decisions on record, the data provides a look at past activity, though these figures do not predict the outcome of your specific 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 Winkelman'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 January 2016, the approval trend for Roger E. Winkelman has shown shifts. After fluctuating between 45% and 57% in the years prior to 2023, the approval rate trended upward, reaching 69% in 2024 and 68% in the most recent partial fiscal year. These patterns reflect past activity rather than a fixed approach to your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Winkelman'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 Santa Barbara hearing office
The Santa Barbara hearing office serves you as part of the broader California disability adjudication network. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 69%. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the medical evidence provided in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Santa Barbara
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench range from 35% to 82% based on their records 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
Roger E. Winkelman has an approval rate of 53% since 2016. Across the bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, approval rates range from 35% to 82%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a trend of increasing approval rates in recent years. While the rate was 47% in 2016, it rose to 68% in the most recent partial fiscal year. A qualified 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 through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot select your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
Approval rates are historical data points and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. A judge's past decisions are only one factor, as the quality of your medical evidence and your testimony are the primary drivers of a favorable decision. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
