Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 8 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a moderate spread in approval rates, ranging from 37% to 67%. Because outcomes vary across this range, which judge you draw can influence your hearing experience. Since cases are assigned randomly, your best strategy is to ensure your file is robust enough to meet the evidentiary standards of any judge on the bench.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Page | 67% | 3,574 | |
| 2 | Evan Nordby | 64% | 146 | |
| 3 | Melvin B. Werner | 61% | 1,023 | |
| 4 | Alison K. Brookins | 58% | 2,394 | |
| 5 | Michael R. Dayton | 49% | 1,629 | |
| 6 | Edward E. Evans | 43% | 3,774 | |
| 7 | James Harty | 37% | 251 | |
| 8 | Susan Toth | 37% | 3,116 |
How long you'll wait
At Wichita, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 months— versus a national average of 8.2 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
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.
Going to your hearing
With a 9-month wait, you have a significant window to strengthen your file. Your primary task is to submit updated medical records that document your limitations since your last denial. Include a detailed medication list noting side effects and a daily-activity log that shows how your condition impacts your ability to work. During your hearing, an ALJ will preside, and a vocational expert will often testify about jobs that might fit your profile. You can question this expert, making it vital to have your evidence ready well before the submission deadline. A decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
With a 9-month wait between filing and your hearing, you have time to pressure-test your medical evidence against the requirements of the Social Security Administration. Because the panel's approval rates vary by 30 percentage points, your file must be strong enough to stand on its own regardless of which judge is assigned.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Wichita, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait for a hearing at this office is 9 months. This wait time has been trending upward recently, which provides additional time to gather updated medical evidence. An attorney can help you prepare during this time.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards of the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made randomly by the SSA. If you have concerns about your assigned judge, discuss them with an attorney who understands the panel's history.
While not required, you may find that representation helps you navigate the process. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony.
