Schafer, Mark

Little Rock, AR · Oct 2024 – Sep 2025

Updated September 26, 2025

Hearing Approval Rate

25.3%

Below the national average of 48.7%

Disability judges hear appeals after an initial claim is denied. Judge Schafer approves 25.3% of cases — knowing your judge’s track record helps you and your representative prepare. How to prepare for your hearing →

How Judge Schafer Decides Cases

Approved25.3%

Nat'l avg: 48.7%

Denied54.6%

Nat'l avg: 35.1%

Dismissed20.0%

Nat'l avg: 16.2%

Know Your Numbers

Judge Schafer approved 25.3% of dispositions. That’s 23.4 percentage points below the national average of 48.7%. Schafer decided 379 cases out of 474 total dispositions. Under SSA’s methodology (excluding dismissals), the approval rate is 31.7%. Knowing your judge’s track record can help you prepare for your hearing.

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Detailed Case CountsOct 2024 – Sep 2025

Total Cases

474

Approved

120

Denied

259

Hearing Office

Little Rock (AR)

7.0 months wait · 2,364 pending

Whether your judge's approval rate is high or low, the strongest factor in your outcome is the quality of your medical evidence and whether you have representation. How judge approval rates vary nationally →

Learn More

Appearing before Judge Schafer?

Claimants with representation are approved at nearly 3× the rate. A free case evaluation takes less than two minutes — and it could change the outcome of your claim.

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