Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes. The 42% approval rate for John M. Wood since 2016 provides a long-term view, while the latest-period data allows for a direct comparison against the Peoria office, state, and national benchmarks. With 3,917 decisions on record, the data provides a look at past outcomes.
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 Wood'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 John M. Wood has fluctuated since 2016. After a peak in 2017 and 2018, the rate saw a decline in 2022 before showing signs of recovery in 2024 and 2025. The latest period shows a 38% approval rate, which is lower than the long-term average on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wood'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 Peoria hearing office
John M. Wood's most recent office on record is the Peoria hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 8 judges with varying approval patterns. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 58%, providing a baseline for the region. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Peoria
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates for this bench range from 32% to 68% based on 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
John M. Wood has a 42% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 32% to 68% range observed among the 8 judges whose most recent office on record is the Peoria hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for John M. Wood has varied over time, starting at 36% in 2016 and reaching 46% in 2025. The latest period shows a 38% approval rate. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge 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 these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to meet SSA criteria. An attorney can help you build a stronger case to meet those requirements.
