Who decides cases at this office
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, as allowance rates for the six judges range from 32% to 89%. This wide variation means that which judge you draw can impact your case, making it essential to prepare for the most rigorous standards. Cases are assigned randomly, and each judge weighs evidence differently, so your file must be comprehensive enough to stand on its own merits regardless of the specific judge presiding.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gene Duncan | 77% | 3,468 | |
| 2 | Margaret M. Sullivan | 72% | 25,102 | |
| 3 | Gary Elliott | 67% | 2,960 | |
| 4 | Joanne E. Dantonio | 59% | 11,205 | |
| 5 | Marilyn S. Mauer | 57% | 12,688 | |
| 6 | James W. Sherry | 56% | 3,754 | |
| 7 | S. Andrew Grace | 51% | 8,594 | |
| 8 | David Johnson | 49% | 28,706 | |
| 9 | Keith Allred | 48% | 7,176 | |
| 10 | Robert P. Kingsley | 48% | 1,566 | |
| 11 | Kelly Wilson | 45% | 4,013 | |
| 12 | Lawrence Lee | 44% | 14,105 | |
| 13 | Mark Triplett | 42% | 25,434 | |
| 14 | Gerald J. Hill | 36% | 5,994 | |
| 15 | Michael Gilbert | 36% | 1,941 | |
| 16 | Allen G. Erickson | 31% | 27,397 | |
| 17 | Rebecca L. Jones | 30% | 11,324 |
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your hearing.
Free Benefits ReviewHow long you'll wait
At Tacoma, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 11 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
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
The 10.5-month wait in Tacoma provides a significant runway to strengthen your file before you face an ALJ. Your most critical task is gathering updated medical records that document your limitations since your initial denial. You should also prepare a detailed log of your daily activities and medication side effects, as these details often clarify your functional capacity for the Vocational Expert. Because evidence submission deadlines are strictly enforced, ensure all documents are filed well before your date. A well-documented file is your strongest tool for a favorable outcome.
When a panel's allowance rates span nearly 60 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. The 10.5-month wait is not just a period of inactivity; it is a window to pressure-test your evidence against the specific criteria an ALJ will use to determine your eligibility. Focusing on your functional limitations now can help you build a more persuasive case for your hearing date.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Tacoma, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. 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.