Approval rates
The approval rates for John M. Wood are based on a record of 3,917 decisions. Within the Peoria hearing office, the lifetime approval rates for all judges on record range from 32% to 68%. In the most recent reporting period, John M. Wood's 38% approval rate is 20 percentage points below the office-wide average of 58%.
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
Since 2016, the approval rate for John M. Wood has fluctuated, moving from 36% in his initial recorded year to 47% in 2017 and 2018. Following a period of lower approval rates in 2022, the trend has seen recovery in recent years. The latest period shows a 38% approval rate, a shift from the 46% observed in 2025.
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
The Peoria hearing office serves you throughout Illinois and the surrounding region. With 8 judges on record, the office maintains a consistent volume of hearings to address local disability claims. The office-wide approval rate for the latest period is 58%.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot request a specific judge. The Peoria hearing office bench includes 8 judges on record since 2016, 5 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. These judges have varying lifetime approval rates, spanning from 32% to 68%.
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 lifetime approval rate of 42% across 3,917 decisions. This places him within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 32% to 68% for all judges on record at the Peoria office. An attorney can help you understand how to build a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for John M. Wood has fluctuated since 2016. After reaching 47% in 2017 and 2018, the rate saw a low of 31% in 2022 before trending to 46% in 2025 and 38% in the most recent period. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific judge.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on preparing a high-quality, evidence-based case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence for your disability claim. You will likely be asked questions about your medical history, daily limitations, and work experience. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is presented effectively.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While John M. Wood has a lifetime approval rate of 42%, your specific result depends on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you identify the strengths of your claim and address potential weaknesses before your hearing.