Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. Paula Wordsworth maintains a 68% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 27% to 74% range of her peers at the Raleigh office. In the most recent reporting period, her 68% approval rate outperformed the office average of 61% by 7 percentage points. These figures are based on a significant docket of 3,953 decisions. 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 Wordsworth'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 Paula Wordsworth has shown a varied trend since 2016. After starting at 68% in 2016, the rate fluctuated, reaching a peak of 75% in 2024 before settling at 68% in the most recent partial fiscal year. With 3,953 total decisions on record, the volume of cases provides a stable view of her decision-making history. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, remaining consistent with her long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wordsworth'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
Paula Wordsworth's most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office, which serves you if you are in North Carolina. This office is part of a regional network that handles a high volume of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 61%. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in your outcome. 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 office, and 10 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 74% since 2016. 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
Paula Wordsworth has a 68% approval rate on record since 2016. This places her within the 27% to 74% range of the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Raleigh hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this judge.
Her approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 68% in 2016 and reaching 75% in 2024, before returning to 68% in the most recent partial fiscal year. These shifts are common and often relate to changes in case complexity. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate your case strength regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Working with an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
The 68% approval rate on record for Paula Wordsworth describes her past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in your outcome. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.
