Who decides cases at this office
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates ranging from 19% to 66%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one weighs medical evidence differently. This wide variation makes it essential to prepare a file that is robust enough to succeed regardless of which judge presides over your case.
| 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 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 is a formal proceeding where an ALJ will evaluate your claim, typically lasting 45 to 60 minutes. Because the wait time in Tupelo has risen to 9 months, you have a critical window to update your medical records and secure statements from doctors regarding your functional limitations. You must submit all new evidence well before the hearing date to ensure it is considered. During the session, a vocational expert will often testify about whether jobs exist that fit your specific physical or mental restrictions. You and your attorney have the right to question this expert to clarify how your impairments prevent you from maintaining full-time work. A final decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the Tupelo panel can identify the specific evidence gaps that often lead to denials, even in an office with a high overall approval rate. Using the 9-month wait to pressure-test your case against the vocational expert's likely testimony is the most effective way to improve your odds.
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. 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 average wait for a hearing at this office is 9 months. This duration has been rising recently, providing you with more time to gather updated medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your medical file is complete during this wait.
Judges are assigned randomly to cases at the Tupelo office. Because the panel has a wide spread in approval rates, your attorney can help you prepare for the specific evidentiary standards common to this location.
You generally cannot choose your judge. Since outcomes vary across the 7 ALJs at this office, the best strategy is to ensure your medical record is comprehensive enough to support your claim regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you build a case that is ready for any judge.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the wide variation in judge approval rates at this office makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you organize your records and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony.