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Official SSA Data

Social Security Disability ALJ Statistics & Approval Rates

Comprehensive data on 1,150 Administrative Law Judges across 172 hearing offices nationwide. SSA data through September 2025.

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National Approval Rate

58.3%

FY 2025 average

Average Wait Time

8 months

Until hearing held

Processing Time

286 days

Average time to decision

Total Dispositions

394,479

FY 2025 to date

Understanding ALJ Statistics

Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are federal judges who preside over Social Security Disability hearings. When an initial disability claim is denied and subsequent appeals at the reconsideration level are unsuccessful, claimants have the right to request a hearing before an ALJ.

ALJ approval rates vary significantly—from under 40% to over 90%—depending on the judge, hearing office location, and case characteristics. Understanding these statistics can help disability attorneys and claimants set realistic expectations for their cases.

Important: Past approval rates do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is decided on its individual merits based on the evidence presented and applicable law.

Browse by State

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Alabama
3 offices
64.5%
Alaska
1 offices
Arizona
3 offices
59.4%
Arkansas
2 offices
45.9%
California
17 offices
59.9%
Colorado
2 offices
54%
Connecticut
2 offices
56.9%
Delaware
1 offices
65%
District Of Columbia
3 offices
64.1%
Florida
8 offices
59.2%
Georgia
5 offices
57.5%
Hawaii
1 offices
68.6%
Illinois
7 offices
56.2%
Indiana
4 offices
58.8%
Iowa
1 offices
54.9%
Kansas
2 offices
48.4%
Kentucky
4 offices
54.3%
Louisiana
4 offices
58.6%
Maine
1 offices
61.4%
Maryland
2 offices
58.5%
Massachusetts
3 offices
56.5%
Michigan
6 offices
57.7%
Minnesota
1 offices
56.3%
Mississippi
3 offices
54.9%

Highest Approval Rate Judges (FY 2025)

Judges with at least 100 decisions in FY 2025, ranked by approval rate.

Judge Office Approval Rate Decisions
D B Stalley Mobile
92.8%
264
James C Cartledge Miami Oho
92.7%
330
Donna L Walker Spokane
92.3%
336
Jan Leventer Detroit
92.2%
334
Brent T Asseff Charlotte
91.4%
362

View all 1,150 judges →

Shortest Hearing Office Wait Times

Jackson MS Oho
Mississippi
5.5 months
Lexington
Kentucky
6 months
Nashville
Tennessee
6 months
Mobile
Alabama
6 months
Charlotte
North Carolina
6 months

Longest Hearing Office Wait Times

Special Review Cadre
District Of Columbia
16 months
Fresno
California
14.5 months
Ponce
Puerto Rico
14 months
Santa Barbara
California
13 months
Rochester
New York
12 months

Frequently Asked Questions About ALJ Statistics

What is the national average ALJ approval rate?
The national average ALJ approval rate for FY 2025 is approximately 58.3%. This includes fully favorable and partially favorable decisions. Rates vary significantly by individual judge and hearing office location.
How many administrative law judges are there?
There are currently approximately 1,150 ALJs across 172 hearing offices nationwide. The number fluctuates due to retirements, new hires, and reassignments.
How long does a disability hearing take?
The average wait time until a hearing is held is approximately 8 months. The fastest office is currently Jackson MS Oho at 5.5 months, while the slowest is Special Review Cadre at 16 months. Check individual office pages for specific wait times.
Where does this data come from?
All data is sourced directly from the Social Security Administration's Public Use Files. Data is updated quarterly when SSA releases new statistics. See our methodology page for details.
Can I use this data to predict my case outcome?
No. Historical approval rates are informational only and should not be used to predict individual case outcomes. Each case is decided on its own merits based on the specific evidence and applicable law. Many factors influence outcomes beyond judge statistics.
Which judges have the highest approval rates?
ALJ approval rates range from under 40% to over 90%. The highest approval rate judge in FY 2025 is D B Stalley at 92.8%. You can search all 1,150 judges by name or browse by state to find judges in your area.