Schmidt, Erin T

Des Moines, IA · Oct 2024 – Sep 2025

Updated September 26, 2025

Hearing Approval Rate

29.5%

Below the national average of 48.7%

Disability judges hear appeals after an initial claim is denied. Judge Schmidt approves 29.5% of cases — knowing your judge’s track record helps you and your representative prepare. How to prepare for your hearing →

How Judge Schmidt Decides Cases

Approved29.5%

Nat'l avg: 48.7%

Denied57.1%

Nat'l avg: 35.1%

Dismissed13.4%

Nat'l avg: 16.2%

Know Your Numbers

Judge Schmidt approved 29.5% of dispositions. That’s 19.2 percentage points below the national average of 48.7%. Schmidt decided 355 cases out of 410 total dispositions. Under SSA’s methodology (excluding dismissals), the approval rate is 34.1%. 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

410

Approved

121

Denied

234

Hearing Office

Des Moines (IA)

7.0 months wait · 1,817 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 Schmidt?

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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