Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Schafer, Mark

LITTLE ROCKArkansas Stable

-23.1 pts vs national average

34.6%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge34.6%

LITTLE ROCK40.1%

National avg57.7%

Total decisions

367

Fully favorable

25.3%

Partially favorable

9.3%

Denials

240

65.4%

Total dispositions

472

Dismissals

105

22.2%

Awards

127

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.

Partial

Denied

Fully fav. 25.3%Partially fav. 9.3%Denied 65.4%

Approval rate history

FY2011

35.7%14 dec

FY2012

32.4%439 dec

FY2013

40.0%573 dec

FY2014

45.3%455 dec

FY2015

36.7%599 dec

FY2016

38.9%404 dec

FY2017

37.1%458 dec

FY2018

33.6%431 dec

FY2019

31.7%565 dec

FY2020

33.1%432 dec

FY2021

38.6%414 dec

FY2022

39.0%313 dec

FY2023

37.1%291 dec

FY2024

34.5%351 dec

Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at LITTLE ROCK (7)

Judges in Arkansas with the most decisions

Next step

Estimate approval odds

See SSA historical base rates for a claim by state, condition, age, and stage — then plan around the hearing-stage odds.