With a 10-month wait that is currently trending upward, you have a window to strengthen your file before your hearing in Orange. The office maintains a 62% allowance rate, and because the panel of judges shows a moderate spread in their approval rates, your success depends on the specific medical evidence you present. An attorney can help you organize your records and prepare for vocational testimony.
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Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
Your 10-month wait is a runway to build a case that stands up to scrutiny. Focus on gathering updated medical records, a detailed log of your daily activities, and statements from those who witness your limitations firsthand. At the hearing, you will typically spend time before an ALJ, where a vocational expert will likely testify about your ability to perform various jobs. Because this office has a moderate spread in judge allowance rates, your file must be complete before the evidence-submission deadline. If your medical evidence is incomplete, the ALJ may not have the necessary documentation to support a favorable decision.
The Judges at This Office
The 5 judges at this office show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, ranging from 45% to 81% with a median of 65%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each one weighs evidence differently. This variation means your preparation must be robust enough to satisfy the requirements of any judge on the panel.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
With a 10-month wait between filing and your hearing, you have time to pressure-test your medical evidence against the standards used by the judges at this office. Since the panel's allowance rates vary, having a representative who understands how to navigate these differences can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these details handy for your hearing day at the Centrum North office in Orange.
Most Favorable Judges
Orange, CA
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelly B. Lind | 69% | 59% | 2,427 | |
| 2 | Claudi L. Rosen-Underwood | 64% | 54% | 7,311 | |
| 3 | Carolyn Cohn-Morros | 61% | 52% | 4,685 | |
| 4 | Robert Lenzini | 59% | 69% | 21,008 | |
| 5 | Joseph P. Lisiecki III | 58% | 59% | 25,962 | |
| 6 | Alan J. Markiewicz | 53% | 45% | 25,131 | |
| 7 | Sharilyn Hopson | 49% | 42% | 20,902 | |
| 8 | Stacy Zimmerman | 48% | 44% | 21,749 | |
| 9 | Michael D. Radensky | 44% | 40% | 30,540 | |
| 10 | Kenneth E. Ball | 42% | 36% | 7,975 | |
| 11 | Helen E. Hesse | 29% | 25% | 3,735 | |
| 12 | Joan Ho | 21% | 18% | 2,884 |
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — with a lawyer vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37 — analysis of SSA ALJ adult disability decisions, FY 2007–2015. Applicants with a lawyer got approved at a rate nearly three times higher than those without. Individual case outcomes vary based on medical evidence, the specific judge, and quality of representation. Checking whether you qualify for a free benefits review takes 2 minutes.
Wait Time Trend
Average months from hearing request to decision — last 16 months
Nearest SSA Field Offices
Where to apply or check on your claim in person
Frequently Asked Questions
About This Content
Statistics come from SSA's Office of Hearings Operations reports and publicly available judge decision data. Approval rates count both full and partial approvals. Wait times reflect the average from hearing request to decision.