Charleston SC Hearing Office - ALJ Approval Rates & Wait Times
South Carolina · SSA Region 04
Approval Rate
49.2%
vs 57.6% national
Wait Time
8 months
vs 8.4 months national
Processing Time
227 days
avg days to decision
Cases Pending
2,230
awaiting hearing
ALJs
5
active judges
Charleston SC ALJ Approval Rates and Decision Statistics
Individual judge statistics for 12 months ending July 2026. Click any judge to see detailed performance data.
| Judge | Approval Rate | Denial Rate | Fully Favorable | Total Decisions | Dispositions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William P Diggs | 66.9% | 33.1% | 62.4% | 550 | 637 |
| Philip Healy | 57.6% | 42.4% | 47.5% | 217 | 273 |
| Nicole S Forbes Schmitt | 56.7% | 43.3% | 46.6% | 423 | 525 |
| Carl Bennett Watson | 48.1% | 51.9% | 40.3% | 387 | 464 |
| Tammy Georgian | 14.6% | 85.4% | 11.3% | 424 | 556 |
Former Judges at Charleston SC
These judges have no recorded decisions at Charleston SC in the 12 months ending July 2026. Figures below cover each judge's own last twelve reported months, ending in the month shown.
| Judge | Last Decisions Reported | Approval Rate | Total Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Lafata | April 2025 | 75.9% | 245 |
| Ethan A Chase | March 2025 | 52.9% | 293 |
| Gloria W Green | December 2024 | 86.8% | 355 |
Approval rates here cover each judge's own trailing window ending in the month shown, so they are not directly comparable with the current roster above or with national figures.
About the Charleston SC Social Security Hearing Office
The Social Security Administration operates the Charleston SC hearing office in South Carolina as part of its Office of Hearings Operations. Located in SSA Region 04, 5 Administrative Law Judges conduct disability hearings at this location.
The office's average approval rate is 49.2%, which is below the national average of 57.6%. Multiple factors influence this outcome including the mix of cases heard, claimant demographics, and variations in how evidence is presented at hearings. Individual judge approval rates at this office range from 14.6% to 66.9%, a 52-point spread that reflects significant variation in decision patterns among judges.
The current average wait time for a hearing at this office is 8 months, which is comparable to the national average of 8.4 months. Once a hearing takes place, this office issues decisions in an average of 227 days. There are currently 2,230 cases pending at this office. That works out to approximately 446 pending cases per judge.
Across the judges at this office, the average fully favorable rate is 41.6%. A fully favorable decision means the claimant receives benefits from the onset date they requested, as opposed to a partially favorable decision which may award benefits from a later date.
How to Interpret Charleston SC Hearing Office Data
Given the significant variation in decision patterns among judges at Charleston SC, thorough case preparation is especially important. Since judge assignments are rotational, the specific ALJ assigned to a case is not known in advance — ensuring medical evidence and vocational documentation are comprehensive can help regardless of which judge presides.
With an average wait time of 8 months and 227 days average processing time, claimants at Charleston SC can expect a total timeline of roughly 16 months from hearing request to decision.
Judges at Charleston SC have collectively issued 2,001 decisions in the current fiscal year, averaging 400 decisions per judge. Individual caseloads range from 217 to 550 decisions, reflecting differences in hearing schedules and case complexity.
Charleston SC Hearing Office FAQ
What is the approval rate at Charleston SC?
Individual judges at this office have rates ranging from 14.6% to 66.9%. Of approved cases, the average fully favorable rate across judges at this office is 41.6%. The national average approval rate is 57.6%.
Which judges hear cases at Charleston SC?
How long is the wait time at Charleston SC?
From hearing request to decision, the total timeline at this office averages approximately 16 months. Wait time averages reflect the most recently reported SSA data and will evolve as new disposition reports are released.
How is office data calculated?
What is the fully favorable rate at Charleston SC?
How does Charleston SC compare to other offices in the state?
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