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This page shows the disability approval rate of every Social Security administrative law judge (ALJ) at the Kansas City hearing office, using official SSA data for fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026. Use it to understand what to expect if your disability hearing has been assigned to one of these judges.

Kansas City hearing office at a glance

  • Office approval rate: 56.3% (lower than the national average of 57.6%)
  • Judges: 13 listed, 13 with decisions this period
  • Decisions issued: 3,446 (1,650 fully favorable, 290 partially favorable, 1,506 denials)
  • Total dispositions: 4,101 (including 655 dismissals)
  • SSA region: 07

The highest approval rate at this office belongs to Mark Naggi (90.8%); the lowest belongs to Christine Cooke (19.0%).

Approval rate by judge

Sorted from highest to lowest approval rate. “Difference” compares the judge to the 57.6% national average. Rates for judges with fewer than 50 decisions are marked as a small sample and should be read with caution.

Judge Fully Favorable Partially Favorable Denials Decisions Approval Rate Difference Note
Mark Naggi 305 29 34 368 90.8% +33.1 pts
Diana Erickson 182 22 38 242 84.3% +26.7 pts
Michael Lehr 292 22 102 416 75.5% +17.9 pts
P H Jung 166 12 118 296 60.1% +2.5 pts
Christel Ambuehl 8 2 9 19 52.6% -5.0 pts Small sample
Michael Werner 113 67 168 348 51.7% -5.9 pts
Joan H Deans 137 38 176 351 49.9% -7.8 pts
Michael Comisky 136 17 170 323 47.4% -10.3 pts
Christina Young Mein 139 36 217 392 44.6% -13.0 pts
Janice Barnes-Williams 98 22 168 288 41.7% -16.0 pts
Toni Neal 4 3 11 18 38.9% -18.7 pts Small sample
Robert Kelly 67 19 278 364 23.6% -34.0 pts
Christine Cooke 3 1 17 21 19.0% -38.6 pts Small sample

How to read these numbers

Approval rate = (fully favorable + partially favorable decisions) ÷ total decisions. A fully favorable decision grants benefits from the date the claimant requested; a partially favorable decision grants benefits but with a later onset date or other limitation. Dismissals (for example, when a claimant withdraws or misses the hearing) are not decisions on the merits and are excluded from the rate.

A judge’s past approval rate is not a prediction for any individual case. Outcomes depend primarily on the medical evidence, the claimant’s work history, and how well the case is prepared and presented.

Frequently asked questions

What is the approval rate at the Kansas City Social Security hearing office?

In fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026, administrative law judges at the Kansas City hearing office approved 56.3% of the cases they decided (1,650 fully favorable and 290 partially favorable out of 3,446 decisions). The national average is 57.6%.

Which judge at the Kansas City hearing office has the highest approval rate?

Mark Naggi had the highest approval rate at 90.8% across 368 decisions.

How many judges work at the Kansas City hearing office?

SSA lists 13 administrative law judges at the Kansas City hearing office, 13 of whom issued decisions during the reporting period.

Where does this data come from?

All figures come from the Social Security Administration's public ALJ Disposition Data report, reporting period ending August 28, 2026. Approval rate is calculated as fully favorable plus partially favorable decisions divided by total decisions; dismissals are excluded.

Source: Social Security Administration, ALJ Disposition Data, reporting period ending August 28, 2026 (report generated 09/22/2026). SSA updates this dataset monthly. Last updated on this site: October 13, 2026.

  • Do You Have
    a Claim?

    Do not feel as though you have to go through this process on your own. Find out if you qualify to receive benefits now.

    About SSD Eligibility
  • Proud Advocates
    for the Disabled

    Your choice in advocacy could be instrumental to the success of your case. Don’t put your financial benefits at risk!

    How We Can Help You
  • No Fees
    Until We Win

    Our ultimate goal is to maximize your approval and minimize any complication. You pay no fees unless we win!

    Get Started Today

Social Security Disability
How Can We Help You?

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  • SSD & SSI Myths

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