Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The panel at this office shows a moderate spread in approval rates, with individual judge outcomes ranging from 35% to 72% and a median of 54%. Because cases are assigned randomly, the judge you draw can influence the outcome of your hearing. Each judge weighs evidence differently, so your file must be robust enough to stand on its own regardless of the specific ALJ presiding.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarah B. Stewart | 72% | 684 | |
| 2 | Amanda Craven | 70% | 3,310 | |
| 3 | Ann G. Paschall | 65% | 4,000 | |
| 4 | Thaddeus J. Hess | 62% | 4,490 | |
| 5 | Nicholas Walter | 61% | 2,137 | |
| 6 | James M. Martin | 61% | 3,392 | |
| 7 | Anthony Capece | 54% | 1,121 | |
| 8 | Julie Petri | 54% | 3,596 | |
| 9 | Alice Jordan | 53% | 2,749 | |
| 10 | James Cumbie | 52% | 2,686 | |
| 11 | Colin Fritz | 52% | 2,824 | |
| 12 | Jerry W. Peace | 44% | 2,881 | |
| 13 | Gregory M. Wilson | 35% | 2,011 |
How long you'll wait
At Greenville, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 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
With a 7-month wait, you have a clear runway to strengthen your file before your hearing. Your most important task is to submit updated medical records that document your limitations since your initial denial. The hearing itself typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, where an ALJ will preside and a vocational expert will likely testify about available work. You should bring a list of your current medications, notes on their side effects, and a log of your daily activities. Because the evidence-submission deadline is strict, you must provide all documents well before the hearing date. Decisions are rarely made on the spot; you will receive a written notice by mail weeks after your appearance.
Even at offices like Greenville where the approval rate is high, cases often fail because the record did not anticipate the vocational expert's questions. A 37-point spread across the panel means your prep must be thorough enough to satisfy even the most stringent judge. Focusing on the specific evidence needed to bridge the gap between your current medical records and the requirements for disability is the most effective way to navigate the hearing process.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Greenville, 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 for a hearing at this office is 7 months, which is faster than the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you prepare your case while you wait.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, your preparation should focus on the strength of your medical documentation. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case to any judge on the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge. However, if you believe a judge has a conflict of interest, you can raise this concern through your legal representative. An attorney can help you identify if a conflict exists.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing is the most critical stage of your claim. A representative can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony. An attorney can help you navigate the hearing process.
