SSDI Appeal Success Rates by State: New Data Reveals Big Disparities

Approval rates at the ALJ hearing level range from 42% to 78% depending on the state where you file, according to newly released federal data. The Social Security Administration's most recent hearing office performance data reveals stark geographic disparities that claimants should factor into their appeal strategy.

What the Numbers Show

For fiscal year 2025, the SSA reported allowances across all hearing offices averaging approximately 52% — but that national average conceals enormous variation. Claimants in some states face odds that feel almost like a coin flip, while those in others have strong majority chances of approval at the hearing level.

Top-performing states for SSDI appeals include:

Hawaii — 78% allowance rate (highest in the nation)
Alaska — 74% allowance rate
Vermont — 71% allowance rate
New Hampshire — 69% allowance rate
Maine — 66% allowance rate

At the other end of the spectrum, the states with the lowest approval rates at the ALJ level are:

Georgia — 42% allowance rate
Louisiana — 44% allowance rate
Alabama — 45% allowance rate
Mississippi — 46% allowance rate
North Carolina — 47% allowance rate

Why Such a Wide Range?

Differences in approval rates don't necessarily mean your condition is evaluated differently — they reflect variation in applicant quality, regional economic conditions, the composition of the disability queue, and individual ALJ tendencies. Some hearing offices also have more experienced attorneys representing the SSA, which can affect outcomes.

Wait Times Also Vary Dramatically

Beyond approval rates, wait times differ substantially. The average time from hearing request to decision ranges from roughly 10 months in the fastest hearing offices to over 22 months in the slowest. The SSA's current goal is to issue 90% of hearing decisions within 365 days, but many offices remain well above that benchmark.

Fastest hearing offices for FY2025 (average wait time):

Manchester, NH — 10.3 months
Billings, MT — 10.8 months
Hawaii (Honolulu) — 11.2 months
Buffalo, NY — 11.8 months
Greensboro, NC — 12.1 months

Slowest hearing offices:

Stockton, CA — 22.4 months
Fresno, CA — 21.8 months
Los Angeles, CA — 20.9 months
Newark, NJ — 20.1 months
Pittsburgh, PA — 19.7 months

Can You Choose Where to File?

In most cases, your hearing will be scheduled at the office responsible for your geographic area — you cannot simply request a transfer to a more favorable hearing office. However, there are limited circumstances where you may be able to request a different venue:

Residency change. If you move to a different state before your hearing is scheduled, your case may be transferred to the new jurisdiction.
Claimant representative request. Your attorney can sometimes request a different hearing office, but this requires demonstrating specific cause such as security concerns or accessibility issues.
Administrative corrections. If the original office assignment was incorrect due to residence or work history, a correction may be possible.

Outside of these narrow circumstances, you should plan for your hearing to occur in your state of residence.

What This Means for Your Appeal Strategy

While you cannot control which hearing office hears your case, knowing the statistics for your state can help set realistic expectations and shape how your attorney prepares your claim. In states with lower approval rates, it becomes even more critical to:

Build an airtight medical record. In tougher jurisdictions, strong medical evidence is the difference between approval and denial. Ensure every relevant condition is documented with objective findings.
Secure a qualified representative. Having an experienced SSDI attorney is associated with higher approval rates in all jurisdictions, but the effect is particularly pronounced in states with lower baseline rates.
Prepare for the hearing itself. ALJs in lower-approval-rate states may apply more scrutiny to functional capacity claims. Work with your attorney on testimony preparation well in advance.
Consider vocational expert testimony. In borderline cases, a vocational expert who can credibly describe the limited job options for someone with your functional limitations can be decisive.

Where to Find Your Hearing Office Data

The SSA publishes annual hearing office performance data on its website, updated quarterly. You can look up your specific hearing office's approval rate, average wait time, and disposition breakdown at ssa.gov/office. Your attorney also has access to more granular data including individual ALJ approval rates within each office, which can inform strategic decisions about hearing requests and continuances.

Looking Ahead

The SSA's 2026 backlog reduction plan aims to increase overall approval rates by reducing wait times — fewer cases in the queue means ALJs can spend more time on each decision. The agency has also indicated it will be more aggressive in approving cases that have been pending for extended periods, which could benefit claimants stuck in slow-moving offices.

For more on navigating the SSDI appeals process, see our complete guide: How Long Does an SSDI Appeal Take?