Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – Interesting Information on Judges

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently released statistics regarding fiscal year 2016 dealing with Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) determinations on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. I recently have blogged about average processing time in hearing offices and some of these statistics tie into the processing time of claims. The numbers indicate that there were slightly over 50 ALJs that only produced 10 decisions during fiscal year 2016 and about 75 ALJs that produced more than 600 decisions. The bulk of the ALJs produced between 400 and 600 decisions per year, though there is a sizeable group deciding less than 300 claims.

Interesting, but not surprising, are the statistics indicating that only 38.17% of decisions awarding benefits come from the National Hearing Center (NHC) versus 44% of favorable decisions in all other hearing offices. All NHC hearings are conducted via video teleconferencing (VTC). I have consistently told clients that for the most part it is better to have an in-person hearing than a video hearing.

Additionally, the median range of approval percentage with the most ALJs is 50 to 59% with the next highest group of ALJs falling in the 40 to 49% award rate.

If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI, personal injury, EEOICPA, long or short-term disability, Railroad Retirement Board disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611 or through our website.