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Judge Ratings for Macon GA Social Security Hearings (Oct 2024)

October 9, 2024 Disability

The Quality of Macon Social Security Hearing Judges

Bad news if you have a hearing in Macon! Macon Social Security Hearing Judges have some of the worst case approval ratings in the nation. That being said, it appears that Macon has one judge who has over the national average. The national average for case approval rate is 54%, and as you can see from the table below, Macon Judges are a lot lower, namely 39%.

This page is for Social Security Hearings for people who live in or near Macon, Albany, GA, Cordele, Tifton, Warner Robins, or Milledgeville. For Atlanta, Columbus, GA, La Grange, Kennesaw, Newnan, Southlake-Morrow, Villa Rica, Gainesville, GA, Gwinnett, Toccoa, or Winder Social Security Hearings click on Judge Ratings for Atlanta, GA. For Covington, Athens, Decatur, or Griffin Social Security Hearings click on Judge Ratings for Covington, GA

Judge Ratings for Macon Social Security Hearings

Are you wondering if you got a good judge for your Macon Social Security Hearing for Disability or SSI scheduled in the Office of Hearing Operations (OHO)? Do you want to know everything you can about the where, why and how of the hearing itself? You’re not alone, most of our clients desperately want to know every detail of their Disability Hearing so that they have the best chance of winning. You might have a hearing in Macon if you have a Social Security Disability/SSI appeal and live in or Macon, Albany, GA, Cordele, Tifton, Warner Robins, or Milledgeville. The Macon Social Security Hearing office is on Mulberry Street right across MLK Boulevard from the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. You can find the name of your judge on a hearing scheduled notice or call the number for the hearing office (at the bottom of this page). Here are all the judges’ statistics and other information that you need, and if you’re looking for a Disability Lawyer serving Macon, don’t hesitate to call us or email us and we will evaluate your case for free.

Judges’ Statistics

The following table is up to date as of October 2024:

Judge

Percent Approved

Cornelius, David

60%

Fulcher, Eric S.

47%

Guard, Christine

50%

Howard, Emily Y

15%

Oetter, George

31%

Thompson, Stephen

45%

Uren Roberson, Amy

35%

Totals

39%

Tip: Don’t say you can work if it’s only part-time. Some people who are disabled can work part-time, but if it’s under about $18,000 per year. Over that amount is called “Substantial Gainful Activity” or “SGA” – if you work and make over SGA for more that about 6 months then you are generally considered not disabled. It usually doesn’t matter how bad your medical condition is if you are making over about $18,000 per year (2024 dollars). There are exceptions however, and a Disability Lawyer serving Macon, like us, can explain them to you. Contact us for a free consultation or more information.

Macon Social Security Hearing Judge Ratings

Macon Judges are a lot lower than the national average at 39%. Still, many people have really good experiences, because some of the judges and staff genuinely care about other people. But many have very bad experiences in Macon because it still is Social Security, run by the government, which is a complete and utter mess. The judges there are doing the best they can. Do they get decisions wrong sometimes? Of course, they are human. Only those with very low case approval rates would I call biased.

For example, for Macon Social Security hearings, Administrative Law Judge Emily Howard has the lowest case approval percentage at 15%. This rate is one of the lowest in the country and we have to ask the question: is Judge Howard biased against claimants? Does she only approve people over 55 years of age? Hard to tell, because there is no way to see her individual decisions due to confidentiality. As for the other judges, some of them are below 40%. They may be reasonable but just very skeptical. If you draw a judge with below 40% approval rate then you will need a very good case to win. That usually means that if you’re under 50 you must have a very debilitating condition or being at least 50 or over with a physical condition that prevents the ability to stand and walk. In both cases, you may lose if you have sedentary work experience. Click here to get more information about the rules, or a Disability Lawyer serving Macon, like us, can give you the information you need. Click here for a free case evaluation.

Where Will My Hearing Be Held?

Most hearings will be held by phone, the judge’s clerk will call your phone and place you in a conference call. The whole hearing will be held via conference call, it’s actually very efficient. If you have a lawyer the evidence is submitted electronically before the hearing.

If you don’t have a lawyer you’ll have to bring your evidence to the hearing office or mail it in. You can request an in-person hearing, but we don’t advise it. If you do have a in-person hearing or need to submit evidence, check the SSA hearing office locator website. The Macon Social Security Hearing office is in Suite 500, 484 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201-7929. You’ll go through the metal detectors – don’t bring any weapons, even a pocket knife, or they won’t let you in. Then check in with the staff and wait to be called for your hearing.

If you need to reach the Macon Social Security hearing office, also known as the Office of Hearing Operations, call (866) 331-2191.

What should I do if I need help with my hearing?

If you do not have a lawyer yet, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) presiding over your case will almost always give you a postponement to try to get a lawyer. These hearings are very difficult without a lawyer, and the ALJs rarely get the evidence they need unless a lawyer is involved. If you need a Disability Lawyer serving Macon, no matter what stage your case is in, call us or email us and we will evaluate your case for free.