Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The 4 judges whose most recent office on record is this one show a tight consistency in their decision-making. With approval rates clustering around a 49% median, outcomes do not swing wildly based on which judge is assigned to your case. While this consistency provides a predictable environment, remember that each ALJ weighs evidence differently, and random assignment means your specific outcome remains unique to your file.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christina Hajjar | 51% | 1,249 | |
| 2 | Maria Hodges | 49% | 5,423 | |
| 3 | Melinda Wells | 46% | 2,899 | |
| 4 | Jerry Meade | 38% | 3,094 |
How long you'll wait
At Huntington, 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
Hearings at this office typically involve an ALJ reviewing your file and hearing testimony from a vocational expert. Because the approval rate here is 45%, your preparation must focus on bridging the gaps in your medical record that led to your initial denial. Bring updated medical records, a list of your current medications with side effects, and a daily-activity log to your hearing. Evidence must be submitted well before your date, as last-minute additions are restricted. You will have the opportunity to question the vocational expert regarding the jobs they suggest you can perform. A decision will arrive by mail in the weeks following your appearance.
With an approval rate of 45%, the Huntington office requires a highly structured approach to evidence that anticipates the vocational expert's testimony. When the panel is tight, the difference between an approval and a denial often comes down to how well your medical records align with the specific criteria the ALJ is looking for. This focus on documentation helps you prepare for the questions you will face under oath.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Huntington, 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 current average wait time for a hearing at this office is 7 months, which is faster than the 8.2-month national average. 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, an attorney can help you understand the general tendencies of the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made randomly by the SSA. Your best strategy is to build a robust, evidence-backed file that stands up to scrutiny regardless of who is assigned to your case, and an attorney can help you do this.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the hearing stage is a complex legal proceeding. Represented claimants are statistically more likely to be approved, as an attorney can help you navigate the vocational expert's testimony and ensure your medical evidence is complete.
