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Judge Ratings for Memphis TN Social Security Hearings (Oct 2024)

October 25, 2024 Disability

The Quality of Memphis TN Social Security Hearing Judges

Bad news if you have a Social Security Disability Hearing in Memphis! Memphis TN Social Security Hearing Judges have some of the lowest case approval rates in the nation. The national average for case approval rate is 54%, and as you can see from the table below, Memphis TN Judges are way below average, namely 40%. Not only that, but it would seem that Memphis TN does have only one judge who is at or above 50%, and that’s a measly 51%. But don’t lose hope! You never know whose cases a judge will approve and whose they will deny.

This page is for Memphis TN Social Security Hearings, in other words, for people who live in or near Dyersburg, Memphis (Downtown), Memphis (North), Memphis (South), Union City, West Memphis in Arkansas or Olive Branch MS. For other locations in Tennessee click on:

Judge Ratings for Memphis TN Social Security Hearings

Are you wondering if you got a good judge for your Memphis TN 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 Memphis TN if you have a Social Security Disability/SSI appeal and live in or near Dyersburg, Memphis (Downtown), Memphis (North), Memphis (South), Union City, West Memphis in Arkansas or Olive Branch MS. The Memphis TN Social Security Hearing office is on Monroe Avenue right next to Autozone Park, where the minor league baseball team Memphis Redbirds play. Go RedBirds! 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 Memphis TN, 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

Total Dispositions

Eddins-Hill, Rosalind

37%

503

Hodum, Robert

44%

389

Jones, Lyle A

39%

381

Lang, Jerry M

42%

451

Mills, Jennifer

51%

402

Peebles, John A

31%

457

Willis, David

34%

378

Totals

40%

2961

Social Security Disability Hearing Tip: A Social Security Disability Lawyer can help a client prepare for their hearing in a number of ways. First, the Judge will want every relevant medical record that helps prove or disprove a person’s disability from a certain time period. Second, a lawyer has forms for a doctor to fill out that help the Judge decide disability. These are usually called “RFC forms.” Third, a lawyer knows the role of a vocational expert (VE) in the hearing and can cross-examine the VE if necessary. A Disability Lawyer serving Memphis TN, like us, can explain in more detail how your hearing will proceed and how your doctor can help. Contact us for a free consultation or more information.

The Quality of Memphis TN Social Security Hearing Judges

The national average for case approval rate is 54%, and Memphis TN Judges are at 40%. Still, many people have really good experiences, because some of the judges and staff genuinely care about other people. And many have very bad experiences in Memphis 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 may be considered biased against claimants.

For example, for Memphis TN Social Security hearings, Administrative Law Judge John Peebles has the lowest case approval percentage at 31%. This rate is actually not that low and might mean that Judge Peebles is just very skeptical. The other judges have similar rates, but a bit higher. They are probably skeptical too. It’s hard for a judge to trust someone when so many have gamed the system to get benefits. So be sure to tell the truth when you’re testifying! It doesn’t guarantee that you’ll win but it does give you the best chance.

We can also see from the table that all of the Judges are at 55% or below, so it is almost a certainty that you will draw one of these judges. If you draw a judge with at or below 55% approval rate then you will need a good case to win, usually with lots of medical evidence and an opinion from a medical expert that you are disabled. Make sure you get all of your relevant medical records and try to get a supporting letter from your doctor. To win with a judge at or under 45%, if you’re under age 50 you probably have to have a condition that stops you from working at all (not just part time) or being at least age 50 or over with a physical condition that prevents the ability to stand and walk most of the time. 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 Memphis TN, 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 Memphis TN Social Security Hearing office is at 309 Monroe Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103. 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 Memphis TN Social Security hearing office, also known as the Office of Hearing Operations, call (866) 348-5830.

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 Memphis TN, no matter what stage your case is in, call us or email us and we will evaluate your case for free.