At 66%, the Baltimore office maintains an allowance rate higher than the national average. With a steady 8-month wait time, you have a predictable window to organize your medical history. Because the panel of 13 judges shows a moderate spread in their approval rates, your success depends on the quality of evidence you present. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the hearing room.
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
Your 8-month wait is an opportunity to build a robust file that addresses the specific limitations identified by your doctors. You must submit all updated medical records, medication lists, and daily-activity logs well before the evidence-submission deadline. During your hearing, you will testify under oath while a vocational expert evaluates whether jobs exist that fit your residual functional capacity. The ALJ will lead the questioning, and you can clarify how your specific impairments prevent sustained work. A final decision typically arrives by mail after the proceedings conclude.
The Judges at This Office
The 13 judges at this office show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, which range from 49% to 86% with a median of 69%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence according to their own judicial discretion. This variation means your file must be strong enough to meet the evidentiary standards of any judge on the panel.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
With a 66% allowance rate, Baltimore is a favorable office for claimants, but cases often fail when they lack a clear link between medical findings and work-related limitations. You can use the 8-month wait to pressure-test your file against the types of questions a vocational expert will ask, ensuring your evidence is ready for the hearing room.
About This Hearing Office
This office processes over 3,557 dispositions annually; keep these location and contact details handy as you finalize your hearing preparations.
Most Favorable Judges
Baltimore, MD
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mary Forrest-Doyle | 81% | 76% | 24,093 | |
| 2 | Milagros Farnes | 78% | 71% | 23,530 | |
| 3 | Frances P. Kuperman | 72% | 61% | 3,498 | |
| 4 | Donald K. Neely | 70% | 54% | 21,561 | |
| 5 | Vivian W. Mittleman | 69% | 59% | 1,568 | |
| 6 | Melvin G. Olmscheid | 68% | 64% | 26,284 | |
| 7 | Gary Ball | 67% | 55% | 22,168 | |
| 8 | Robert Baker Jr. | 67% | 55% | 24,592 | |
| 9 | Leisha Self | 66% | 56% | 14,975 | |
| 10 | Michelle Crawford | 64% | 54% | 7,101 | |
| 11 | Tara J. Posner | 61% | 44% | 16,948 | |
| 12 | Donna M. Edwards | 61% | 52% | 18,463 | |
| 13 | Andrea McBarnette | 59% | 50% | 1,468 | |
| 14 | Tierney Carlos | 54% | 46% | 14,494 | |
| 15 | Clary Simmonds | 51% | 39% | 18,187 | |
| 16 | W. Clark | 47% | 40% | 857 | |
| 17 | Scott Massengill | 46% | 40% | 16,978 | |
| 18 | Leslie Weyn | 44% | 37% | 1,009 | |
| 19 | Robert W. Young | 44% | 37% | 3,511 | |
| 20 | Nelisbeth Ball | 43% | 40% | 14,676 | |
| 21 | Douglas M. Rawald | 39% | 33% | 1,736 | |
| 22 | Clark S. Cheney | 31% | 26% | 1,781 |
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — with a lawyer vs. on your own
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
Nearest SSA Field Offices
Where to apply or check on your claim in person
Frequently Asked Questions
About This Content
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.