Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The judge's 55% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 27% to 74% range observed among the bench at the Raleigh hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's 64% approval rate compares to a 61% office average, a 65% state average, and a 58% national average. These figures rely on a significant volume of decisions to provide a clear statistical picture. 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 Wisz'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 Katherine D. Wisz has shown a notable trend across 3,418 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of lower approval rates between 2018 and 2020, the data shows a consistent upward trajectory in recent years. The latest period, with a 64% approval rate, reflects a continuation of this steady pattern of growth. This recent performance indicates a shift compared to the long-term average, which may reflect changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wisz'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 Raleigh hearing office
Katherine D. Wisz's most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves claimants across North Carolina and maintains a bench of 17 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 61%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Raleigh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Raleigh
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office, 10 of whom decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 74% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is 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
Judge Wisz has a 55% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 27% to 74% range of approval rates for the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate has trended upward in recent years. After reaching a low of 46% in 2018, the rate has steadily climbed to 64% in the most recent reporting period. An 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 random 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 formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and often a vocational expert or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While the 55% rate on record since 2016 provides context, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare the necessary documentation to support your claim.
