For Law Firms Get Started
SSA Hearing Office

Grand Rapids, MI Hearing Office

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

Website Directions
Call

Most Favorable Judges

Grand Rapids, MI

1 Smith, Steven C
Approval Rate
87%
Full Approval
74%
Total Decisions
1,627
2 Raterink, Dennis
Approval Rate
66%
Full Approval
68%
Total Decisions
22,474
3 Johnson, Douglas W
Approval Rate
66%
Full Approval
56%
Total Decisions
2,075
4 Ohanesian, Nicholas M
Approval Rate
60%
Full Approval
67%
Total Decisions
29,866
5 Himebaugh, Kevin
Approval Rate
59%
Full Approval
56%
Total Decisions
23,540
6 Harmon, Cynthia S
Approval Rate
54%
Full Approval
49%
Total Decisions
27,945
7 Grit, Donna J
Approval Rate
52%
Full Approval
44%
Total Decisions
16,749
8 Reamon, William G
Approval Rate
45%
Full Approval
35%
Total Decisions
30,111
9 Condon, Michael S
Approval Rate
44%
Full Approval
37%
Total Decisions
19,691
10 Tjapkes, Robert J
Approval Rate
43%
Full Approval
25%
Total Decisions
24,482
Rank Judge Approval Rate Full Approval Total Decisions
1Smith, Steven C 87% 74% 1,627
2Raterink, Dennis 66% 68% 22,474
3Johnson, Douglas W 66% 56% 2,075
4Ohanesian, Nicholas M 60% 67% 29,866
5Himebaugh, Kevin 59% 56% 23,540
6Harmon, Cynthia S 54% 49% 27,945
7Grit, Donna J 52% 44% 16,749
8Reamon, William G 45% 35% 30,111
9Condon, Michael S 44% 37% 19,691
10Tjapkes, Robert J 43% 25% 24,482

Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer

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

WITHOUT A LAWYER
1×
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)
02468Jun '24Sep '25

Nearest SSA Field Offices

Where to apply or check on your claim in person

Adrian, MI
1040 S WINTER ST, ADRIAN, MI 49221
Alpena, MI
111 N 4TH AVE, ALPENA, MI 49707
Ann Arbor, MI
3971 RESEARCH PARK DR, ANN ARBOR, MI 48108
Battle Creek, MI
5700 BECKLEY RD, BATTLE CREEK, MI 49015
Bay City, MI
1115 WASHINGTON AVE, BAY CITY, MI 48708

Need help with your SSDI hearing?

Only 33.5% of first-time SSDI applications get approved in Michigan.

Get Started

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.

Unable to work? See what SSDI benefits you may qualify for.

Check My Benefits
Free 2 minutes Confidential

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.