Who decides cases at this office
The panel of 6 judges at this office shows a moderate spread in allowance rates, ranging from 42% to 67%. Because outcomes can vary depending on which judge is assigned to your case, your file must be robust enough to withstand scrutiny regardless of the specific judge. While judges are assigned randomly, each brings a unique perspective to weighing evidence, making thorough preparation essential.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John A. Ransom | 81% | 684 | |
| 2 | Joanne E. Adamczyk | 80% | 2,955 | |
| 3 | Regina Sobrino | 60% | 26,835 | |
| 4 | Michael R. Dunn | 59% | 20,268 | |
| 5 | Nicole Quandt | 57% | 21,954 | |
| 6 | David Kurtz | 54% | 18,958 | |
| 7 | Margaret ODonnell | 53% | 19,443 | |
| 8 | Andrew G. Sloss | 51% | 26,780 | |
| 9 | Kevin W. Fallis | 43% | 23,154 |
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Free Benefits ReviewHow long you'll wait
At Flint, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
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
Your hearing in Flint is your opportunity to present evidence that was missed during the initial denial. You have 9 months to build a comprehensive file, which is your most effective tool for success. Ensure you bring updated medical records, a detailed log of your daily activities, and a list of medications including their side effects. The hearing typically lasts about an hour, during which an ALJ will preside. A vocational expert will often testify regarding your ability to perform specific jobs given your limitations. You have the right to question this expert. Ensure your documentation is finalized well before your date, as evidence submission deadlines are strict.
With a 9-month wait between your appeal and your hearing, you have a significant runway to build a case that addresses the specific concerns of the Social Security Administration. You are better positioned to navigate the vocational expert's testimony when you enter the hearing room with a well-organized, evidence-backed file. Identifying gaps in your medical record and preparing for the questions you will face under oath are critical steps in your process.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Flint, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. 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.