Who decides cases at this office
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with allowance rates for the 17 active judges ranging from 33% to 77%. This wide variation means that your case outcome depends on how your specific evidence aligns with the judge assigned to your file. Because judges are assigned randomly, your preparation must be robust enough to address the concerns of any judge on the bench.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Dispositions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Naggi | 77% | 3,973 | |
| 2 | Michael A. Lehr | 65% | 4,148 | |
| 3 | Sherianne Laba | 64% | 236 | |
| 4 | Diana Erickson | 63% | 4,349 | |
| 5 | Jack D. McCarthy | 59% | 1,195 | |
| 6 | Christine A. Cooke | 53% | 3,805 | |
| 7 | Peter Jung | 52% | 4,209 | |
| 8 | Richard N. Staples | 45% | 2,835 | |
| 9 | Joan H. Deans | 44% | 4,794 | |
| 10 | Michael Comisky | 44% | 4,570 | |
| 11 | Michael Werner | 39% | 3,509 | |
| 12 | George M. Bock | 37% | 1,017 | |
| 13 | Christina Young Mein | 36% | 4,721 | |
| 14 | Scot Gulick | 35% | 3,779 | |
| 15 | Janice E. Barnes-Williams | 34% | 3,828 | |
| 16 | Toni Neal | 34% | 359 | |
| 17 | Robert A. Kelly | 33% | 4,569 |
How long you'll wait
At Kansas City, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 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
With an 8-month wait trending slightly upward, you have a window to strengthen your file before your hearing. Your most important task is gathering updated medical records and a detailed log of your daily limitations, as the ALJ will focus on evidence generated since your last denial. The hearing typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, where a vocational expert will testify about jobs that might fit your restrictions. You have the right to question this expert, which is often the turning point in the proceeding. Ensure all evidence is submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's allowance rates span 44 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. While the office's 56% allowance rate is standard, the wide spread between judges creates a high-stakes environment where a missing piece of evidence can be the difference between an approval and a denial. Focusing on the consistency of your medical record helps you navigate the variability of this panel.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Kansas City, 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 8 months, which is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you manage your case while you wait for your hearing date.
Judges are assigned randomly to cases at this office. Because the 17 judges on the panel have a wide range of allowance rates, it is important to be prepared for any judge assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case to any judge on this panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge. Since outcomes vary across the panel, the best strategy is to ensure your medical evidence is comprehensive enough to support your claim regardless of who presides. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the concerns of any judge.
While not required, representation is highly recommended. Statistics consistently show that represented claimants are more likely to be allowed benefits, especially when navigating a panel with such wide variation in judge outcomes. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and cross-examine the vocational expert.