Seattle's hearing wait has reached 10 months, trending upward over the last six months. While the office's 58% allowance rate is typical for a hearing office, the panel's wide spread—with judge approval rates ranging from 28% to 79%—means your outcome depends on the evidence you present. An attorney can help you build a robust medical record that can withstand scrutiny regardless of which judge you draw.
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
With a 10-month wait, you have a significant runway to ensure your file is complete before you step into the Yesler Building. Your hearing will typically involve an ALJ reviewing your testimony and often hearing from a Vocational Expert who testifies about whether jobs exist that fit your specific physical or mental limitations. You must submit all updated medical records, medication lists with side effects, and daily-activity logs well before the evidence-submission deadline. Because the judges at this office weigh evidence differently, your goal is to provide a clear, documented narrative of your functional limitations. Decisions are rarely made on the spot; you will receive the outcome by mail weeks after the proceeding.
The Judges at This Office
Outcomes at this office vary significantly across the panel, with individual judge allowance rates spanning from 28% to 79%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one interprets the evidence through a different lens. This variation makes it essential that your file is strong enough to stand on its own merits, regardless of who presides over your hearing.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
When a panel's allowance rates span 51 points, your file must be documented thoroughly so that your functional limitations are clear to any presiding judge. A professional review of your medical records can help you anticipate the questions a Vocational Expert will ask and ensure your evidence directly addresses the criteria for SSDI disability. Use your remaining wait time to refine your case before you are under oath.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these location details handy for the day of your hearing at the Yesler Building.
Most Favorable Judges
Seattle, WA
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael C. Blanton | 93% | 79% | 15,443 | |
| 2 | Mary Gallagher Dilley | 66% | 56% | 12,834 | |
| 3 | Timothy Mangrum | 66% | 74% | 23,545 | |
| 4 | Sue Leise | 63% | 69% | 21,039 | |
| 5 | Wayne N. Araki | 59% | 50% | 8,898 | |
| 6 | C. H. Prinsloo | 56% | 54% | 22,024 | |
| 7 | Laura Valente | 53% | 45% | 23,712 | |
| 8 | Gordon W. Griggs | 53% | 45% | 4,033 | |
| 9 | Keith Dietterle | 53% | 45% | 9,668 | |
| 10 | Cheri L. Filion | 52% | 44% | 1,653 | |
| 11 | Evangeline Mariano-Jackson | 52% | 64% | 28,554 | |
| 12 | Malcolm Ross | 48% | 46% | 21,316 | |
| 13 | Eric S. Basse | 42% | 36% | 10,291 | |
| 14 | Stephanie Martz | 41% | 35% | 7,975 | |
| 15 | Virginia M. Robinson | 40% | 34% | 12,152 | |
| 16 | M. J. Adams | 40% | 34% | 15,911 | |
| 17 | Glenn G. Meyers | 37% | 31% | 19,156 | |
| 18 | Larry Kennedy | 36% | 31% | 9,904 | |
| 19 | Ilene Sloan | 34% | 29% | 6,213 | |
| 20 | Cecilia LaCara | 27% | 18% | 21,983 | |
| 21 | Tom L. Morris | 20% | 17% | 5,871 |
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.