With a wide allowance-rate spread across the panel—ranging from 22% to 88%—which judge you draw in Kansas City significantly impacts your outcome. While the 7-month wait is faster than the national average, the variability among the 16 judges means your medical evidence must be airtight to succeed regardless of the assignment. An attorney can help you pressure-test your file against the specific standards of this panel.
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Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
Hearings at this office move faster than the national norm, so you should prioritize submitting updated medical records as soon as they become available. You will typically sit with an ALJ for your hearing, during which a vocational expert will testify about your ability to perform specific jobs. Bring a detailed log of your daily activities and a list of your current medications, including any side effects that hinder your ability to work. Because the panel features a wide range of allowance rates, your file must clearly document your limitations to satisfy the most stringent reviewers. Evidence submitted at the last minute may not be fully considered, so aim to have your records complete well before the deadline.
The Judges at This Office
The 16 judges at this office exhibit a wide range of approval tendencies, with individual allowance rates spanning from 22% to 88%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one weighs evidence according to their own interpretation of regulations. This variance means that your documentation must be robust enough to stand up to the most rigorous scrutiny regardless of who presides over your session.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
When a panel's allowance rates span 66 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Many claimants assume the hearing is a simple conversation, but the vocational expert testimony often turns on precise, technical definitions of work capacity. An attorney who understands the Kansas City panel can help you identify gaps in your medical record that might otherwise lead to a denial.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these details handy for your hearing day at the Kansas City office, which handles 4,212 dispositions annually.
Most Favorable Judges
Kansas City, MO
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Naggi | 75% | 83% | 22,100 | |
| 2 | Michael A. Lehr | 64% | 72% | 23,254 | |
| 3 | Diana Erickson | 61% | 64% | 25,323 | |
| 4 | Jack D. McCarthy | 60% | 51% | 7,933 | |
| 5 | Christine A. Cooke | 54% | 51% | 23,425 | |
| 6 | Peter Jung | 51% | 60% | 24,189 | |
| 7 | M. S. Kidd | 50% | 25% | 5,057 | |
| 8 | Richard N. Staples | 44% | 37% | 19,006 | |
| 9 | Joan H. Deans | 43% | 42% | 27,711 | |
| 10 | Michael Comisky | 43% | 43% | 27,117 | |
| 11 | George M. Bock | 37% | 31% | 6,635 | |
| 12 | Michael Werner | 36% | 31% | 20,040 | |
| 13 | Janice E. Barnes-Williams | 34% | 30% | 22,682 | |
| 14 | Toni Neal | 34% | 29% | 2,054 | |
| 15 | Christina Y. Mein | 34% | 30% | 26,785 | |
| 16 | Scot Gulick | 34% | 18% | 24,383 | |
| 17 | Robert A. Kelly | 28% | 16% | 24,882 |
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — with a lawyer vs. on your own
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
Nearest SSA Field Offices
Where to apply or check on your claim in person
Frequently Asked Questions
About This Content
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.