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 37% to 81%. This wide spread means that random assignment plays a major role in your hearing experience. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, your case must be strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who is presiding.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeffrey S. Wolfe | 81% | 1,800 | |
| 2 | David W. Engel | 80% | 4,173 | |
| 3 | James Stewart | 67% | 1,940 | |
| 4 | Deirdre O. Dexter | 65% | 3,953 | |
| 5 | Richard J. Kallsnick | 62% | 303 | |
| 6 | Cindy Martin | 62% | 3,473 | |
| 7 | Luke Liter | 61% | 4,487 | |
| 8 | B. D. Crutchfield | 61% | 3,055 | |
| 9 | Edmund C. Werre | 58% | 93 | |
| 10 | Dennis LeBlanc | 57% | 3,808 | |
| 11 | James L. Bentley | 47% | 344 | |
| 12 | Michael Mannes | 43% | 3,849 | |
| 13 | Deborah L. Rose | 42% | 365 | |
| 14 | Lantz McClain | 38% | 2,392 | |
| 15 | John W. Belcher | 37% | 806 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location, and their most recent office on record has no hearing-office page on this site. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At Tulsa, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 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 Tulsa will likely involve an Administrative Law Judge presiding over your testimony. Because the wait time has been trending upward to 8 months, you have a window to update your medical records and secure statements from your doctors. Focus on documenting how your symptoms limit your ability to perform basic work tasks, as this is what the vocational expert will analyze. Ensure all new evidence is submitted well before the hearing, as last-minute additions are restricted. You will be placed under oath, and the proceedings will conclude with a decision mailed to you several weeks later.
When a panel's approval rates span over 40 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. The 8-month wait in Tulsa is a preparation runway that you can use to pressure-test your file against the specific standards of the local bench.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Tulsa, 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 average wait to hearing at the Tulsa office is 8 months, which is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you understand how to use this time to strengthen your claim.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is Tulsa. Because there is a wide spread in approval rates among these judges, your attorney can help you build a case that meets the evidentiary standards of the entire panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the Social Security Administration to ensure impartiality. If you are concerned about the judge assigned to your case, an attorney can help you discuss your options for evidence-based arguments.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the wide variance in judge approval rates at this office makes professional preparation essential. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare you for the vocational expert's testimony.
