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Judge Ratings for Raleigh NC Social Security Hearings (Oct 2024)

October 14, 2024 Disability

This page is for Raleigh Social Security Hearings, in other words, for people who live in or near Ahoskie, Durham, Elizabeth City, Goldsboro, Greenville, Henderson, Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Washington, or Wilson. For Albemarle, Charlotte, Concord, Hickory, Gastonia, Salisbury, Shelby, Statesville or Rock Hill, SC Social Security Hearings click on Judge Ratings for Charlotte NC. For Goldsboro, Fayetteville, Kinston, New Bern, Lumberton, Rockingham, Sanford, Wilmington, or Whiteville Social Security Hearings click on Judge Ratings for Fayetteville NC. For Greensboro, Reidsville, Wilkesboro, Asheboro, Burlington, High Point, Mt. Airy, or Winston Salem Social Security Hearings click on Judge Ratings for Greensboro NC.

Judge Ratings for Raleigh Social Security Hearings

Are you wondering if you got a good judge for your Raleigh 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 oldalone, 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 Raleigh if you have a Social Security Disability/SSI appeal and live in or near Ahoskie, Durham, Elizabeth City, Goldsboro, Greenville, Henderson, Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Washington, or Wilson. The Raleigh Social Security Hearing office is on Poole Road right off of exit 15 of Routes 440 & 64 past the McDonald’s. 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 Raleigh, 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

Andersen, William

62%

299

Brinkley, Joseph L

51%

370

Davis, Kelly

59%

296

Harper, Catherine

52%

250

Hogan, Mason

52%

351

Hoskins-Hart, Teresa L

46%

293

Ofori-Acquaah, Anne-Mar A

40%

293

Rideout, Robert

64%

210

Shea, David J

65%

274

Williams, James E

48%

305

Wisz, Katherine D

55%

306

Wordsworth, Paula

64%

333

Wright, Wanda L

60%

207

Totals

55%

3787

Tip: Back pain is the most common cause of disability listed on Social Security Disability applications and used at Social Security Disability Hearings. If you have back pain, the Judge will want to see one or more MRI reports. The Judge does not usually want to see the imaging itself, just the report, because only a trained medical expert can read imaging. Also, it is best for your orthopedic doctor or other provider to write a supporting letter or residual functional capacity (RFC) form that can help the Judge determine your functional limitations. There are things you can tell your doctor that will help, and a Disability Lawyer serving Raleigh, like us, can explain them to you. Contact us for a free consultation or more information.

The Quality of Raleigh Social Security Hearing Judges

Raleigh Social Security Hearing Judges have some of the better case approval ratings in the nation. That being said, it appears that Raleigh does have six judges who are below the national average. The national average for case approval rate is 54%, and as you can see, Raleigh Judges are slightly higher, namely 55%. Still, many have very bad experiences in Raleigh because it still is Social Security, run by the government, which is a complete and utter mess. But many people have really good experiences, because some of the judges and staff genuinely care about other people. 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 Raleigh Social Security hearings, Administrative Law Judge Ofori-Acquaah has the lowest case approval percentage at 40%. That is a pretty low approval rate but still within the bounds of reason. She may be a little conservative, and/or a little skeptical. The last thing these judges want to do is give someone a Disability Check who is not really disabled, just lazy. If you draw a judge with at or below 40% approval rate then you will need a good case to win, usually with lots of medical evidence. 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 40%, if you’re under age 50 you probably have to have an at least partly debilitating condition or being at least age 50 or over with a physical condition that prevents the ability to stand and walk at least partially. 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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh Social Security Hearing office is in Suite 200 of 3315 Poole Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610. 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 Raleigh Social Security hearing office, also known as the Office of Hearing Operations, call (866) 708-3174.

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