From SSA fiscal year 2015 (09/27/2014 through 09/25/2015) to SSA fiscal year 2016 to date (09/26/2015 through 06/24/2016) the combined partially and fully favorable Social Security approval rate has increased from 53.4% to 54.6%. The following posts contain similar data from 2014 and 2015. The below sections contain more granular data from FY 2016 that sheds light on what contributed to the increase in approval rate.
States with the greatest change in approval rate
| State | 2016 % Favorable | 2015% Favorable | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| IA | 55.56% | 48.65% | +6.90% |
| NH | 55.71% | 49.64% | +6.07% |
| PR | 80.12% | 74.10% | +6.02% |
| AZ | 55.16% | 49.83% | +5.33% |
| WI | 52.70% | 48.45% | +4.26% |
| AL | 58.80% | 55.00% | +3.80% |
| NV | 49.83% | 46.47% | +3.35% |
| AR | 53.24% | 49.92% | +3.32% |
| NE | 64.70% | 67.97% | -3.27% |
| MS | 44.83% | 48.52% | -3.69% |
| NM | 60.08% | 65.26% | -5.18% |
ODARs with the greatest change in approval rate
| State | 2016 % Favorable | 2015% Favorable | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| RENO NV | 55.18% | 38.05% | +17.13% |
| ANCHORAGE AK | 33.05% | 21.76% | +11.29% |
| PONCE | 66.21% | 55.93% | +10.28% |
| MONTGOMERY | 62.57% | 53.41% | +9.16% |
| MIAMI | 65.89% | 57.37% | +8.51% |
| NHC FALLS CHURCH | 52.00% | 44.69% | +7.32% |
| SAN JUAN | 84.46% | 77.35% | +7.10% |
| FORT SMITH | 61.11% | 54.07% | +7.04% |
| STOCKTON | 54.45% | 47.43% | +7.01% |
| WEST DES MOINES | 55.56% | 48.65% | +6.90% |
| ROCHESTER | 72.59% | 65.88% | +6.71% |
| WHITE PLAINS | 54.43% | 47.74% | +6.69% |
| SPRINGFIELD MA | 57.34% | 50.67% | +6.67% |
| MADISON | 65.57% | 58.91% | +6.66% |
| FLORENCE | 51.45% | 44.97% | +6.49% |
| PEORIA | 43.76% | 37.59% | +6.17% |
| MANCHESTER | 55.71% | 49.64% | +6.07% |
| BRONX | 57.13% | 51.11% | +6.03% |
| LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN | 66.72% | 60.79% | +5.94% |
| ORLAND PARK | 53.78% | 47.87% | +5.91% |
| OAK BROOK | 61.45% | 55.69% | +5.76% |
| NEW YORK | 63.25% | 57.49% | +5.75% |
| MCALESTER | 46.52% | 40.79% | +5.74% |
| NHC ALBUQUERQUE | 46.54% | 40.82% | +5.72% |
| PHOENIX | 45.63% | 50.72% | -5.09% |
| SAN RAFAEL | 63.14% | 68.23% | -5.10% |
| ALBUQUERQUE | 60.08% | 65.26% | -5.18% |
| SPRINGFIELD MO | 31.02% | 37.25% | -6.23% |
| SOUTH JERSEY | 67.02% | 73.34% | -6.33% |
| HATTIESBURG | 37.59% | 45.57% | -7.98% |
Weighted approval rate by state
This map contains the weighted average approval rate by state compiled from www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/archive/archive_data_reports.html. The percentages were calculated based on the location in which the disability hearing was held, not the state in which the claimant resided. ID, WY, SD and VT do not contain data since those states do not have ODARs.
Approval rate by ODAR
The below statistics contain the Social Security Administration ODAR approval rates from fiscal year 2016 to date (09/26/2015 through 06/24/2016) by ODAR location. This data was compiled from www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/archive/archive_data_reports.html
| State | Office | % Denied | Fully Favorable | Partially Favorable | Favorable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK | ANCHORAGE AK | 66.95% | 21.94% | 11.11% | 33.05% |
| AL | MOBILE | 37.46% | 58.08% | 4.47% | 62.54% |
| AL | BIRMINGHAM | 44.93% | 50.45% | 4.62% | 55.07% |
| AL | FLORENCE | 48.55% | 48.55% | 2.91% | 51.45% |
| AL | MONTGOMERY | 37.43% | 57.17% | 5.40% | 62.57% |
| AR | FORT SMITH | 38.89% | 54.56% | 6.56% | 61.11% |
| AR | LITTLE ROCK | 51.14% | 42.84% | 6.02% | 48.86% |
| AZ | PHOENIX NORTH | 42.72% | 47.36% | 9.92% | 57.28% |
| AZ | PHOENIX | 54.37% | 34.06% | 11.57% | 45.63% |
| AZ | TUCSON | 35.38% | 55.14% | 9.48% | 64.62% |
| CA | SACRAMENTO | 42.02% | 49.84% | 8.14% | 57.98% |
| CA | LOS ANGELES WEST | 48.39% | 44.61% | 7.00% | 51.61% |
| CA | SAN JOSE | 45.05% | 41.67% | 13.29% | 54.95% |
| CA | LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN | 33.28% | 59.20% | 7.52% | 66.72% |
| CA | SAN FRANCISCO | 42.84% | 49.20% | 7.96% | 57.16% |
| CA | NORWALK | 45.66% | 48.58% | 5.76% | 54.34% |
| CA | SAN DIEGO | 42.77% | 47.45% | 9.78% | 57.23% |
| CA | ORANGE | 55.39% | 37.17% | 7.44% | 44.61% |
| CA | LONG BEACH | 34.00% | 59.20% | 6.80% | 66.00% |
| CA | SAN BERNARDINO | 50.11% | 40.41% | 9.48% | 49.89% |
| CA | FRESNO | 57.86% | 31.61% | 10.54% | 42.14% |
| CA | SANTA BARBARA | 46.15% | 42.43% | 11.41% | 53.85% |
| CA | MORENO VALLEY CA | 48.87% | 39.92% | 11.21% | 51.13% |
| CA | SAN RAFAEL | 36.86% | 48.89% | 14.24% | 63.14% |
| CA | PASADENA | 42.94% | 50.45% | 6.61% | 57.06% |
| CA | STOCKTON | 45.55% | 38.42% | 16.03% | 54.45% |
| CA | OAKLAND | 28.53% | 61.96% | 9.51% | 71.47% |
| CO | DENVER | 48.07% | 42.01% | 9.92% | 51.93% |
| CO | COLORADO SPRINGS | 53.63% | 36.53% | 9.84% | 46.37% |
| CT | NEW HAVEN | 49.40% | 38.46% | 12.14% | 50.60% |
| CT | HARTFORD | 58.76% | 32.24% | 9.00% | 41.24% |
| DC | WASHINGTON | 49.32% | 43.43% | 7.25% | 50.68% |
| DE | DOVER | 51.58% | 37.78% | 10.64% | 48.42% |
| FL | ST PETERSBURG FL | 39.98% | 54.22% | 5.81% | 60.02% |
| FL | ORLANDO | 39.95% | 52.13% | 7.92% | 60.05% |
| FL | TAMPA | 44.63% | 49.24% | 6.14% | 55.37% |
| FL | FORT MYERS FL | 40.70% | 51.89% | 7.40% | 59.30% |
| FL | JACKSONVILLE | 54.32% | 38.10% | 7.58% | 45.68% |
| FL | TALLAHASSEE FL | 41.83% | 49.82% | 8.35% | 58.17% |
| FL | FT LAUDERDALE | 44.55% | 48.58% | 6.87% | 55.45% |
| FL | MIAMI | 34.12% | 58.51% | 7.37% | 65.89% |
| GA | ATLANTA NORTH | 38.60% | 54.96% | 6.44% | 61.40% |
| GA | ATLANTA DOWNTOWN | 39.46% | 52.78% | 7.76% | 60.54% |
| GA | SAVANNAH | 45.83% | 45.92% | 8.25% | 54.17% |
| GA | MACON | 50.00% | 40.86% | 9.14% | 50.00% |
| GA | COVINGTON GA | 40.72% | 55.00% | 4.28% | 59.28% |
| HI | HONOLULU | 25.14% | 66.76% | 8.10% | 74.86% |
| IA | WEST DES MOINES | 44.44% | 47.60% | 7.95% | 55.56% |
| IL | CHICAGO | 46.22% | 42.13% | 11.65% | 53.78% |
| IL | OAK BROOK | 38.55% | 52.95% | 8.50% | 61.45% |
| IL | ORLAND PARK | 46.22% | 45.61% | 8.18% | 53.78% |
| IL | EVANSTON | 36.51% | 54.34% | 9.15% | 63.49% |
| IL | PEORIA | 56.24% | 33.91% | 9.85% | 43.76% |
| IN | FORT WAYNE | 47.95% | 46.40% | 5.65% | 52.05% |
| IN | EVANSVILLE | 47.24% | 45.94% | 6.83% | 52.76% |
| IN | VALPARAISO IN | 44.74% | 46.43% | 8.83% | 55.26% |
| IN | INDIANAPOLIS | 39.24% | 55.71% | 5.05% | 60.76% |
| KS | TOPEKA KS | 60.46% | 29.83% | 9.71% | 39.54% |
| KS | WICHITA | 51.28% | 43.91% | 4.81% | 48.72% |
| KY | PADUCAH | 42.60% | 51.89% | 5.51% | 57.40% |
| KY | LEXINGTON | 55.54% | 40.65% | 3.81% | 44.46% |
| KY | MIDDLESBORO | 52.66% | 45.25% | 2.09% | 47.34% |
| KY | LOUISVILLE | 42.74% | 51.38% | 5.88% | 57.26% |
| LA | NEW ORLEANS | 37.74% | 55.66% | 6.60% | 62.26% |
| LA | SHREVEPORT | 49.81% | 40.61% | 9.58% | 50.19% |
| LA | ALEXANDRIA | 53.11% | 39.52% | 7.37% | 46.89% |
| LA | METAIRIE | 53.69% | 39.43% | 6.88% | 46.31% |
| MA | LAWRENCE MA | 45.44% | 39.57% | 15.00% | 54.56% |
| MA | BOSTON | 42.72% | 49.20% | 8.08% | 57.28% |
| MA | SPRINGFIELD MA | 42.66% | 47.69% | 9.66% | 57.34% |
| MD | BALTIMORE | 40.81% | 50.86% | 8.33% | 59.19% |
| ME | PORTLAND ME | 33.28% | 62.02% | 4.70% | 66.72% |
| MI | DETROIT | 40.02% | 50.10% | 9.89% | 59.98% |
| MI | OAK PARK | 35.85% | 54.96% | 9.20% | 64.15% |
| MI | GRAND RAPIDS | 52.04% | 37.76% | 10.20% | 47.96% |
| MI | MT PLEASANT MI | 46.81% | 44.30% | 8.89% | 53.19% |
| MI | LANSING | 43.51% | 50.10% | 6.38% | 56.49% |
| MI | FLINT | 37.80% | 46.15% | 16.05% | 62.20% |
| MI | LIVONIA MI | 37.99% | 54.11% | 7.90% | 62.01% |
| MN | MINNEAPOLIS | 44.74% | 49.39% | 5.87% | 55.26% |
| MO | KANSAS CITY | 52.72% | 42.20% | 5.08% | 47.28% |
| MO | ST LOUIS | 47.68% | 43.95% | 8.37% | 52.32% |
| MO | COLUMBIA MO | 48.40% | 41.32% | 10.27% | 51.60% |
| MO | SPRINGFIELD MO | 68.98% | 26.29% | 4.73% | 31.02% |
| MO | CREVE COEUR | 35.73% | 57.99% | 6.28% | 64.27% |
| MS | HATTIESBURG | 62.41% | 29.87% | 7.72% | 37.59% |
| MS | JACKSON | 49.20% | 45.91% | 4.89% | 50.80% |
| MT | BILLINGS | 51.20% | 41.67% | 7.13% | 48.80% |
| NC | RALEIGH | 44.84% | 49.10% | 6.06% | 55.17% |
| NC | GREENSBORO | 36.96% | 53.10% | 9.94% | 63.04% |
| NC | CHARLOTTE | 41.62% | 52.85% | 5.53% | 58.38% |
| NC | FAYETTEVILLE NC | 44.33% | 47.96% | 7.71% | 55.67% |
| ND | FARGO | 43.24% | 45.93% | 10.83% | 56.76% |
| NE | OMAHA | 35.30% | 59.61% | 5.09% | 64.70% |
| NH | MANCHESTER | 44.29% | 48.62% | 7.09% | 55.71% |
| NHC | NHC CHICAGO | 63.10% | 27.81% | 9.08% | 36.90% |
| NHC | NHC BALTIMORE | 42.36% | 50.03% | 7.61% | 57.64% |
| NHC | NHC ALBUQUERQUE SO | 50.44% | 42.27% | 7.29% | 49.56% |
| NHC | NHC ALBUQUERQUE | 53.46% | 36.73% | 9.81% | 46.54% |
| NHC | NHC ST LOUIS | 50.75% | 43.05% | 6.19% | 49.25% |
| NHC | NHC FALLS CHURCH | 48.00% | 42.56% | 9.44% | 52.00% |
| NJ | JERSEY CITY | 48.35% | 42.82% | 8.83% | 51.65% |
| NJ | NEWARK | 41.59% | 46.88% | 11.53% | 58.41% |
| NJ | SOUTH JERSEY | 32.98% | 57.42% | 9.59% | 67.02% |
| NM | ALBUQUERQUE | 39.92% | 49.75% | 10.33% | 60.08% |
| NV | LAS VEGAS | 51.94% | 37.39% | 10.67% | 48.06% |
| NV | RENO NV | 44.82% | 46.06% | 9.12% | 55.18% |
| NY | BROOKLYN | 35.67% | 56.40% | 7.93% | 64.33% |
| NY | QUEENS | 32.68% | 56.72% | 10.59% | 67.32% |
| NY | ROCHESTER | 27.41% | 65.81% | 6.78% | 72.59% |
| NY | BRONX | 42.87% | 50.26% | 6.87% | 57.13% |
| NY | LONG ISLAND | 30.19% | 63.32% | 6.49% | 69.81% |
| NY | SYRACUSE | 39.57% | 51.76% | 8.67% | 60.43% |
| NY | ALBANY | 34.18% | 57.86% | 7.96% | 65.82% |
| NY | NEW YORK | 36.75% | 52.63% | 10.62% | 63.25% |
| NY | WHITE PLAINS | 45.57% | 43.19% | 11.24% | 54.43% |
| NY | BUFFALO | 48.47% | 43.13% | 8.40% | 51.53% |
| OH | AKRON OH | 47.80% | 44.31% | 7.89% | 52.20% |
| OH | COLUMBUS | 48.43% | 43.53% | 8.04% | 51.57% |
| OH | TOLEDO OH | 55.00% | 35.04% | 9.96% | 45.00% |
| OH | DAYTON | 56.15% | 38.33% | 5.52% | 43.85% |
| OH | TUPELO | 46.03% | 48.47% | 5.50% | 53.97% |
| OH | CLEVELAND | 61.04% | 30.80% | 8.16% | 38.96% |
| OH | CINCINNATI | 43.79% | 48.33% | 7.89% | 56.21% |
| OK | MCALESTER | 53.48% | 40.57% | 5.95% | 46.52% |
| OK | TULSA | 41.79% | 50.99% | 7.22% | 58.21% |
| OK | OKLAHOMA CITY | 43.64% | 51.27% | 5.09% | 56.36% |
| OR | PORTLAND OR | 53.11% | 35.96% | 10.93% | 46.89% |
| OR | EUGENE | 48.32% | 41.65% | 10.03% | 51.68% |
| PA | JOHNSTOWN | 44.75% | 49.93% | 5.33% | 55.25% |
| PA | SEVEN FIELDS | 49.41% | 39.39% | 11.20% | 50.59% |
| PA | PHILADELPHIA EAST | 48.63% | 44.43% | 6.94% | 51.37% |
| PA | PHILADELPHIA | 37.24% | 52.21% | 10.55% | 62.76% |
| PA | WILKES BARRE | 49.58% | 43.25% | 7.17% | 50.42% |
| PA | ELKINS PARK | 38.82% | 53.48% | 7.69% | 61.18% |
| PA | HARRISBURG | 48.28% | 45.76% | 5.96% | 51.72% |
| PA | PITTSBURGH | 46.62% | 45.43% | 7.95% | 53.38% |
| PR | PONCE | 33.79% | 60.12% | 6.09% | 66.21% |
| PR | SAN JUAN | 15.54% | 82.25% | 2.20% | 84.46% |
| RI | PROVIDENCE | 49.98% | 44.43% | 5.59% | 50.02% |
| SC | GREENVILLE | 46.60% | 49.17% | 4.24% | 53.40% |
| SC | COLUMBIA SC | 34.91% | 60.47% | 4.62% | 65.09% |
| SC | CHARLESTON SC | 50.33% | 43.96% | 5.71% | 49.67% |
| TN | MEMPHIS | 41.56% | 52.16% | 6.28% | 58.44% |
| TN | CHATTANOOGA | 40.15% | 53.67% | 6.18% | 59.85% |
| TN | NASHVILLE | 41.86% | 51.43% | 6.70% | 58.14% |
| TN | KNOXVILLE | 42.73% | 51.95% | 5.32% | 57.27% |
| TN | FRANKLIN TN | 40.42% | 52.77% | 6.81% | 59.58% |
| TN | KINGSPORT | 32.34% | 65.67% | 1.99% | 67.66% |
| TX | HOUSTON-BISSONNET | 59.71% | 34.46% | 5.82% | 40.29% |
| TX | HOUSTON NORTH | 58.32% | 35.48% | 6.20% | 41.68% |
| TX | DALLAS NORTH | 41.74% | 51.67% | 6.59% | 58.26% |
| TX | RIO GRANDE VALLEY TX | 52.41% | 32.46% | 15.13% | 47.59% |
| TX | DALLAS DOWNTOWN | 46.61% | 46.19% | 7.20% | 53.39% |
| TX | SAN ANTONIO | 57.21% | 36.85% | 5.94% | 42.79% |
| TX | FORT WORTH | 52.27% | 40.76% | 6.97% | 47.73% |
| UT | SALT LAKE CITY | 37.92% | 52.43% | 9.65% | 62.08% |
| VA | CHARLOTTESVILLE | 61.16% | 29.96% | 8.88% | 38.84% |
| VA | ROANOKE | 46.89% | 44.02% | 9.09% | 53.11% |
| VA | NORFOLK | 47.19% | 44.64% | 8.17% | 52.81% |
| VA | RICHMOND | 50.91% | 40.22% | 8.87% | 49.09% |
| WA | SEATTLE | 54.95% | 34.90% | 10.14% | 45.05% |
| WA | TACOMA WA | 37.64% | 54.50% | 7.86% | 62.36% |
| WA | SPOKANE | 36.45% | 58.67% | 4.88% | 63.55% |
| WI | MILWAUKEE | 54.28% | 37.16% | 8.56% | 45.72% |
| WI | MADISON | 34.43% | 53.88% | 11.69% | 65.57% |
| WV | MORGANTOWN | 54.62% | 37.82% | 7.56% | 45.38% |
| WV | CHARLESTON WV | 44.62% | 50.86% | 4.52% | 55.38% |
| WV | HUNTINGTON | 60.11% | 35.08% | 4.81% | 39.89% |