Richmond's 47% allowance rate is typical for a hearing office, meaning your outcome depends on the quality of your medical record. While the 8.5-month wait is standard, the trend is rising, giving you more time to organize your file. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to ensure it meets the specific standards the panel expects.
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
Your hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ will review your claim. Because the wait time in Richmond has risen to 8.5 months, use this time to gather updated medical records, a detailed medication list with side effects, and a daily-activity log. You must submit all new evidence well before the deadline. During the hearing, a vocational expert will likely testify about jobs that fit your physical or mental limits. You have the right to question this expert, which is often the most important part of the session. A final decision will arrive by mail after the hearing concludes.
The Judges at This Office
The panel of 6 judges at this office shows a moderate spread in allowance rates, ranging from 18% to 56% with a median of 54%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one weighs evidence differently. This variation makes it essential to build a file that is robust enough to succeed regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
With a 38-point spread between the lowest and highest allowance rates on the panel, your file must be strong enough to withstand scrutiny from any judge. While you wait for your hearing date, you can identify gaps in your medical documentation that the SSA might use to deny your claim. Represented claimants often have a clearer path through the vocational expert testimony, which is the pivot point for most hearings.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these details handy for your hearing day at the Richmond office, located at Suite 225, 1100 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
Most Favorable Judges
Richmond, VA
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William H. Hauser | 57% | 48% | 15,914 | |
| 2 | Eric Eklund | 57% | 30% | 28,959 | |
| 3 | Theodore P. Kennedy | 50% | 43% | 18,720 | |
| 4 | Nicolas R. Foster | 49% | 42% | 29,986 | |
| 5 | Anthony J. Johnson Jr. | 49% | 38% | 23,753 | |
| 6 | Maria Nunez | 47% | 40% | 9,534 | |
| 7 | Mark Baker | 46% | 40% | 20,464 | |
| 8 | Deborah Foresman | 42% | 36% | 14,588 | |
| 9 | Linda S. Crovella | 38% | 32% | 13,102 | |
| 10 | L. R. BaileySmith | 38% | 32% | 21,116 | |
| 11 | Patricia E. Hurt | 35% | 30% | 1,470 | |
| 12 | Suzette Knight | 18% | 10% | 22,970 |
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.