What to Know About Baltimore Social Security Judges (May 2024 Update)

So you have a Social Security Disability or SSI hearing scheduled in the Baltimore Maryland Office of Hearing Operations (OHO). And are you wondering how it will go? You’re not alone — most of my clients desperately want to know every detail of the Judge that is hearing their case. As a social security disability lawyer, I will tell you what I tell them.

What Are Judges Like in Baltimore?

The Social Security Hearing Office in Baltimore has some of the best judges in the nation and is run better than most hearing offices in the country. That being said, many people still have bad experiences in Baltimore because it still is Social Security — run by the government — which is a complete and utter mess. I believe the judges there are doing the best they can and I admire their leadership. Do they get decisions wrong sometimes? Of course; they are human. But I really don’t see any biases that I would complain about.

Recent Statistics for the Baltimore Social Security Administrative Law Judges:

ALJ Disposition Data FY 2024

(For Reporting Purposes: 09/30/2023 through 03/29/2024)

Judge	Percent Awarded	Awards	Denials
Baker Jr, Robert	65.8%	77	40
Ball, Gary	80.6%	96	23
Ball, Nelisbeth	69.5%	32	14
Farnes, Milagros	82.5%	104	22
Forrest-Doyle, Mary	87.7%	86	12
Massengill, Scott	49.9%	62	63
Neely, Donald K	77.1%	88	26
Olmscheid, Melvin G	72.2%	91	35
Posner, Tara J	67.5%	52	25
Simmonds, Clary	55.4%	51	41

Does the Judge I Get Make a Difference in My End Result in My Social Security Disability Hearing?

Yes and no. Yes if your medical situation is complex, as in you have many moderate medical issues with the symptoms open to different interpretations. Often one judge will see you as disabled but another will not. It’s hard to predict. No, the judge will likely not matter if you have one very serious medical condition or are aged 55 or over. In that case, it’s relatively easy to predict whether you will win or lose.

Can I Change Judges if I Get a Bad Judge Assigned to My Case?

No, unfortunately for you if you get a bad one but fortunately for fairness. You’re stuck with the judge you’re assigned unless something really rare happens. Such as: the judge gets sick, or a scheduling conflict, or you’ve overturned previous decisions of that judge twice or more (in the same matter).

What Should I Do if I Need Help with My Social Security Disability Hearing?

If you do not have a lawyer yet, often the ALJ presiding over your case will give you a postponement to try to get a Baltimore social security lawyer 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 lawyer, no matter what stage your social security disability case is in, contact us and we will evaluate your case for free.