Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions ranging from 19% to 66%. Because of this wide spread, which judge you draw matters, and your file must be strong enough to succeed under any of them. Random assignment is the standard, and each judge weighs evidence differently; these statistics are not a guarantee of your specific outcome.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory A. Maddox | 66% | 3,461 | |
| 2 | Shannon Mashburn | 65% | 3,416 | |
| 3 | Michael DePrimo | 60% | 3,235 | |
| 4 | H.J. Barkley III | 58% | 3,973 | |
| 5 | Roger Lott | 58% | 3,935 | |
| 6 | Jo Ann L. Draper | 33% | 2,543 | |
| 7 | James F. Prothro | 19% | 1,678 |
How long you'll wait
At Tupelo, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 9 months— versus a national average of 8.2 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
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 Tupelo will likely last about an hour, during which an ALJ will review your medical history and hear testimony. Because the wait time has risen to 9 months, use this period to gather updated medical records, a detailed medication list, and a log of your daily limitations. A vocational expert will often testify about the types of jobs available for someone with your specific restrictions, and you or your attorney will have the opportunity to question them. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision is typically mailed to you several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 50 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. The 9-month wait between filing and your hearing is a strategic window to pressure-test your medical evidence against the vocational standards an ALJ will use. Identifying the gaps in your file that might otherwise lead to a denial is a key step in your preparation.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Tupelo, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. 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.
Frequently asked questions
The current average wait for a hearing at the Tupelo office is 9 months, which is higher than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you prepare your case while you wait.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is Tupelo. Because outcomes vary across the panel, your focus should be on building a robust, evidence-backed file. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards common to this panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made randomly to ensure impartiality. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards common to this panel.
While there is no formal dress code, dressing in neat, professional-casual attire shows the ALJ that you take the proceeding seriously. An attorney can help you ensure your medical records are organized and complete.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the complexity of the hearing process and the wide variation in judge approval rates make professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and cross-examine the vocational expert.
