SSA Hearing Office

Baltimore, MD Hearing Office

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Most Favorable Judges

Baltimore, MD

Approval Rate
81%
Full Approval
76%
Total Decisions
24,093
Approval Rate
78%
Full Approval
71%
Total Decisions
23,530
Approval Rate
72%
Full Approval
61%
Total Decisions
3,498
Approval Rate
70%
Full Approval
54%
Total Decisions
21,561
Approval Rate
69%
Full Approval
59%
Total Decisions
1,568
Approval Rate
69%
Full Approval
59%
Total Decisions
659
Approval Rate
68%
Full Approval
64%
Total Decisions
26,284
Approval Rate
67%
Full Approval
55%
Total Decisions
24,592
Approval Rate
67%
Full Approval
55%
Total Decisions
22,168
Approval Rate
66%
Full Approval
56%
Total Decisions
14,975
Approval Rate
64%
Full Approval
54%
Total Decisions
7,101
Approval Rate
61%
Full Approval
52%
Total Decisions
18,463
Approval Rate
61%
Full Approval
44%
Total Decisions
16,948
Approval Rate
59%
Full Approval
50%
Total Decisions
1,468
Approval Rate
54%
Full Approval
46%
Total Decisions
14,494
Approval Rate
51%
Full Approval
39%
Total Decisions
18,187
Approval Rate
47%
Full Approval
40%
Total Decisions
857
Approval Rate
46%
Full Approval
40%
Total Decisions
16,978
Approval Rate
44%
Full Approval
37%
Total Decisions
3,511
Approval Rate
44%
Full Approval
37%
Total Decisions
1,009
Approval Rate
43%
Full Approval
40%
Total Decisions
14,676
Approval Rate
39%
Full Approval
33%
Total Decisions
1,736
Approval Rate
31%
Full Approval
26%
Total Decisions
1,781
Rank Judge Approval Rate Full Approval Total Decisions
1Forrest-Doyle, Mary 81% 76% 24,093
2Farnes, Milagros 78% 71% 23,530
3Kuperman, Frances P 72% 61% 3,498
4Neely, Donald K 70% 54% 21,561
5Mittleman, Vivian W 69% 59% 1,568
6Harris, LaRonna 69% 59% 659
7Olmscheid, Melvin G 68% 64% 26,284
8Baker Jr, Robert 67% 55% 24,592
9Ball, Gary 67% 55% 22,168
10Self, Leisha 66% 56% 14,975
11Crawford, Michelle 64% 54% 7,101
12Edwards, Donna M 61% 52% 18,463
13Posner, Tara J 61% 44% 16,948
14McBarnette, Andrea 59% 50% 1,468
15Carlos, Tierney 54% 46% 14,494
16Simmonds, Clary 51% 39% 18,187
17Clark, W. 47% 40% 857
18Massengill, Scott 46% 40% 16,978
19Young, Robert W 44% 37% 3,511
20Weyn, Leslie 44% 37% 1,009
21Ball, Nelisbeth 43% 40% 14,676
22Rawald, Douglas M 39% 33% 1,736
23Cheney, Clark S 31% 26% 1,781

Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer

SSDI hearing approval rates — with a lawyer vs. on your own

WITHOUT A LAWYER
baseline approval rate
Applicants without a lawyer
WITH A LAWYER
~3×
higher approval rate
Applicants with a lawyer
Check My Benefits

Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37 — analysis of SSA ALJ adult disability decisions, FY 2007–2015. Applicants with a lawyer got approved at a rate nearly three times higher than those without. Individual case outcomes vary based on medical evidence, the specific judge, and quality of representation. Checking whether you qualify for a free benefits review takes 2 minutes.

Wait Time Trend

Average months from hearing request to decision — last 16 months

Wait (months)
024681012Jun '24Sep '25

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Frequently Asked Questions

About This Data

Statistics come from SSA's Office of Hearings Operations reports and publicly available judge decision data. Approval rates count both full and partial approvals. Wait times reflect the average from hearing request to decision. Data is based on 2025-09-26 reports and may not reflect current conditions. This page is for informational purposes only.

ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from the SSA. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys or accredited representatives in your area.