The Oklahoma City office maintains a 73% allowance rate, which is high for a hearing office. While this is encouraging, the panel's allowance rates vary significantly, ranging from 44% to 86%. Use the 9.5-month wait to ensure your medical evidence is airtight before you appear. An attorney can help you organize your medical history and prepare for your hearing.
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your hearing date.
Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
Your hearing is a proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge will review your claim. Because the wait in Oklahoma City is 9.5 months, you have a window to strengthen your file. You must submit all updated medical records, medication lists, and daily-activity logs well before the evidence-submission deadline. During the hearing, a Vocational Expert will typically testify about whether jobs exist that fit your specific physical or mental limitations. You will have the opportunity to question this expert. A favorable decision is rarely immediate; you will generally receive the ruling by mail after the hearing concludes.
The Judges at This Office
The panel at this office consists of 17 judges with an allowance-rate spread ranging from 44% to 86%. Because outcomes vary significantly depending on which judge is assigned to your case, your file must be robust enough to stand on its own merits. Judges are assigned randomly, and each weighs evidence differently, so thorough preparation is your best defense against this inherent uncertainty.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
When a panel's allowance rates span over 40 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to gaps in documentation. While the high office-wide approval rate is positive, you may find it difficult to counter the testimony of the vocational expert without professional guidance. A well-prepared case helps you navigate the differences in how individual judges weigh evidence.
About This Hearing Office
This office manages 3,857 dispositions annually. Keep these details accessible for your hearing day.
Most Favorable Judges
Oklahoma City, OK
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trace Baldwin | 86% | 73% | 12,509 | |
| 2 | Michael Harris | 79% | 80% | 28,078 | |
| 3 | Sylke Merchan | 69% | 74% | 21,100 | |
| 4 | Steven L. Cravens | 68% | 71% | 23,999 | |
| 5 | Jodi B. Levine | 68% | 81% | 23,858 | |
| 6 | Douglas S. Stults | 67% | 78% | 30,523 | |
| 7 | Susan W. Conyers | 65% | 55% | 16,385 | |
| 8 | Kim D. Parrish | 63% | 66% | 32,971 | |
| 9 | Kenton W. Fulton | 59% | 63% | 21,656 | |
| 10 | Angelita Hamilton | 58% | 65% | 23,913 | |
| 11 | Sherry L. Schallner | 57% | 62% | 21,551 | |
| 12 | James Linehan | 54% | 46% | 25,074 | |
| 13 | Jennie L. McLean | 53% | 60% | 13,940 | |
| 14 | J. Dell Gordon | 51% | 43% | 11,981 | |
| 15 | Edward L. Thompson | 45% | 42% | 27,627 | |
| 16 | Larry D. Shepherd | 43% | 53% | 27,969 |
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.