Who decides cases at this office
The panel at this office consists of 5 judges who show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, ranging from 41% to 79%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one weighs medical evidence and vocational testimony differently. This variation makes it essential that your file is robust enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who presides over your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Ambrose | 66% | 26,452 | |
| 2 | James J. Kent | 62% | 28,462 | |
| 3 | Lawrence E. Blatnik | 60% | 18,907 | |
| 4 | Thomas L. Walters | 59% | 7,849 | |
| 5 | Amy L. Rosenberg | 58% | 25,587 | |
| 6 | Thomas L. English | 54% | 953 | |
| 7 | David Read | 51% | 24,270 | |
| 8 | Brian Burgtorf | 41% | 16,010 | |
| 9 | Paul W. Jones | 36% | 30,259 |
Heading to an ALJ hearing? See if you qualify for representation before your hearing date.
Free Benefits ReviewHow long you'll wait
At Lansing, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 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
Hearings at this office typically involve an ALJ reviewing your file and hearing testimony. You must bring your photo ID and any updated medical records or treatment notes generated since your last denial. Because the SSA restricts last-minute evidence submissions, ensure your file is complete well before your date. A vocational expert will likely testify regarding your ability to perform past work or other jobs in the national economy. You or your attorney will have the opportunity to question this expert, which is often the most important part of the proceeding. A final decision is rarely issued on the spot; you will receive a written notice by mail later.
With a 38-point spread between the most and least lenient judges on this panel, your preparation must account for the possibility of drawing a judge who requires a high evidentiary bar. You can navigate these differences by identifying the specific limitations in your medical record that a vocational expert cannot easily dismiss. By building a consistent narrative of your functional capacity now, you ensure your case is ready for any judge at this office.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Lansing, 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.