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SSA Hearing Office

Knoxville, TN Hearing Office

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Most Favorable Judges

Knoxville, TN

1 Barker, John R
Approval Rate
78%
Full Approval
66%
Total Decisions
948
2 Burke, J. Elaine
Approval Rate
69%
Full Approval
65%
Total Decisions
17,720
3 Jones, Stephanie M
Approval Rate
68%
Full Approval
68%
Total Decisions
15,717
4 Morgan, Kerry
Approval Rate
67%
Full Approval
56%
Total Decisions
25,202
5 Grissom, K. Dickson
Approval Rate
66%
Full Approval
57%
Total Decisions
23,097
6 Lefebvre, Donna
Approval Rate
63%
Full Approval
54%
Total Decisions
29,933
7 Heaton, Juliana P
Approval Rate
57%
Full Approval
48%
Total Decisions
18,087
8 Beeby, Jim
Approval Rate
55%
Full Approval
47%
Total Decisions
30,195
9 Dowd, Mark
Approval Rate
55%
Full Approval
47%
Total Decisions
4,609
10 Dixon, James
Approval Rate
53%
Full Approval
60%
Total Decisions
26,294
11 Bowling, Edward
Approval Rate
50%
Full Approval
43%
Total Decisions
14,131
12 Wirth, Andrea L
Approval Rate
42%
Full Approval
36%
Total Decisions
8,279
13 Francis, Joyce
Approval Rate
13%
Full Approval
11%
Total Decisions
18,434
Rank Judge Approval Rate Full Approval Total Decisions
1Barker, John R 78% 66% 948
2Burke, J. Elaine 69% 65% 17,720
3Jones, Stephanie M 68% 68% 15,717
4Morgan, Kerry 67% 56% 25,202
5Grissom, K. Dickson 66% 57% 23,097
6Lefebvre, Donna 63% 54% 29,933
7Heaton, Juliana P 57% 48% 18,087
8Beeby, Jim 55% 47% 30,195
9Dowd, Mark 55% 47% 4,609
10Dixon, James 53% 60% 26,294
11Bowling, Edward 50% 43% 14,131
12Wirth, Andrea L 42% 36% 8,279
13Francis, Joyce 13% 11% 18,434

Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer

SSDI hearing approval rates — with a lawyer vs. on your own

WITHOUT A LAWYER
1×
baseline approval rate
Applicants without a lawyer
WITH A LAWYER
~3×
higher approval rate
Applicants with a lawyer
Check My Benefits

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

Wait (months)
0246810Jun '24Sep '25

Nearest SSA Field Offices

Where to apply or check on your claim in person

Athens, TN
921 CONGRESS PKWY N, ATHENS, TN 37303
Chattanooga, TN
1290 PREMIER DR, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421
Clarksville, TN
119 CENTER POINTE DR, CLARKSVILLE, TN 37040
Cleveland, TN
529 INMAN ST W, CLEVELAND, TN 37311
Columbia, TN
1885 SHADY BROOK ST, COLUMBIA, TN 38401

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Only 33.5% of first-time SSDI applications get approved in Tennessee.

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Frequently Asked Questions

About This Data

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. Data is based on 2025-09-26 reports and may not reflect current conditions. This page is for informational purposes only.

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ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from the SSA. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys or accredited representatives in your area.