Approval rates
The approval rate for Russell B. Wolff is based on 317 decisions on record since January 2017. When reviewing these figures, compare them against the broader bench at the Billings hearing office, where judges range from 32% to 70% in their approval rates over the same period. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding how different judges approach evidence.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Wolff. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Wolff'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 Russell B. Wolff shifted across the data window starting in January 2017. In 2017, the approval rate was 62% over 184 decisions, while in 2018, the rate moved to 42% over 235 decisions. This trend indicates a decline in the approval rate toward the end of the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wolff'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 Billings hearing office
Russell B. Wolff's most recent office on record is the Billings hearing office, with the last recorded decision dated September 2018. This office serves you and other claimants across Montana. With 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Billings
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Billings hearing office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 32% to 70%. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating disability claims, understanding the bench as a whole is useful.
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
Russell B. Wolff has an approval rate of 50% on record since 2017. This sits within the 32% to 70% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Billings hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of how your judge compares to the office average.
Yes, the data shows a shift in the approval rate for Russell B. Wolff. The rate was 62% in 2017 and 42% in 2018. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because you cannot control your assignment, working with an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your SSDI hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation supporting your claim. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
