Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Bestul, Joseph

COVINGTON GAGeorgia Trending up

-1.6 pts vs national average

56.2%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge56.2%

COVINGTON GA65.0%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

381

Fully favorable

157

41.2%

Partially favorable

15.0%

Denials

167

43.8%

Total dispositions

452

Dismissals

15.7%

Awards

214

3-year trend

Rising

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Partial

Denied

Fully fav. 41.2%Partially fav. 15.0%Denied 43.8%

Approval rate history

FY2017

83.6%146 dec

FY2018

51.1%423 dec

FY2019

49.9%469 dec

FY2020

46.2%346 dec

FY2021

43.1%350 dec

FY2022

43.5%271 dec

FY2023

50.9%228 dec

FY2024

53.5%327 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at COVINGTON GA (7)

McIntyre, Melinda
316 dec87.0%
Grounds, Sonya
157 dec77.1%
McAdam, Paul
283 dec77.0%
Werner McEckron, Brooke
326 dec65.6%
Davis, L. Ellis
360 dec59.7%
Jordan, Wylly
293 dec49.8%
Glover, Kristen
284 dec47.9%

Judges in Georgia with the most decisions

Evans, Vickie
SAVANNAH467 dec
Dennard, Michael K
SAVANNAH440 dec
Fulcher, Eric
MACON423 dec
Petersen, Craig
SAVANNAH421 dec
Egemonye, Ucheakpunwa
ATLANTA DOWNTOWN409 dec

Next step

Estimate approval odds

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