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This page shows the disability approval rate of every Social Security administrative law judge (ALJ) at the Oklahoma 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.

Oklahoma City hearing office at a glance

  • Office approval rate: 71.7% (higher than the national average of 57.6%)
  • Judges: 12 listed, 12 with decisions this period
  • Decisions issued: 3,257 (2,185 fully favorable, 150 partially favorable, 922 denials)
  • Total dispositions: 3,946 (including 689 dismissals)
  • SSA region: 06

The highest approval rate at this office belongs to Michael L Harris (88.0%); the lowest belongs to Larry Shepherd (52.7%).

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
Michael L Harris 315 21 46 382 88.0% +30.3 pts
Jodi Levine 106 6 20 132 84.8% +27.2 pts
Douglas Stults 319 3 66 388 83.0% +25.4 pts
Cindy Martin 38 5 10 53 81.1% +23.5 pts
Sylke Merchan 197 14 58 269 78.4% +20.8 pts
Kenton W. Fulton 71 11 32 114 71.9% +14.3 pts
Angelita Hamilton 227 14 102 343 70.3% +12.6 pts
Kim Parrish 256 16 124 396 68.7% +11.1 pts
Steven L. Cravens 143 16 77 236 67.4% +9.8 pts
Sherry Schallner 220 19 118 357 66.9% +9.3 pts
Christopher Hunt 96 9 78 183 57.4% -0.2 pts
Larry Shepherd 197 16 191 404 52.7% -4.9 pts

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 Oklahoma City Social Security hearing office?

In fiscal year 2026 through August 28, 2026, administrative law judges at the Oklahoma City hearing office approved 71.7% of the cases they decided (2,185 fully favorable and 150 partially favorable out of 3,257 decisions). The national average is 57.6%.

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

Michael L Harris had the highest approval rate at 88.0% across 382 decisions.

How many judges work at the Oklahoma City hearing office?

SSA lists 12 administrative law judges at the Oklahoma City hearing office, 12 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?

  • Denied SSD Benefits
  • Disability Hearing
  • Application Process
  • Appealing a Claim
  • Medicaid / Medicare
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  • Social Security Disability Insurance
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  • Child & Adult Child's Disability
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  • SSD & SSI Myths

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