Pasadena's 66% allowance rate is higher than the national average, suggesting this office is receptive to well-documented claims. While the 8-month wait has recently trended upward, the moderate spread across the panel means your outcome depends on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you organize your file to ensure your evidence is ready for your hearing date.
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
With an 8-month wait, you have a window to build the medical record your judge will weigh. Your hearing will likely last about an hour, where you will testify under oath and a vocational expert will analyze whether jobs exist that fit your specific physical or mental limitations. You must submit all updated medical records, medication lists with side effects, and daily-activity logs well before the evidence-submission deadline. Because this office has a 66% allowance rate, your goal is to ensure your file is complete. If you have witness statements from former coworkers or family members, include them to provide a clearer picture of your daily reality.
The Judges at This Office
The five judges at this office show a moderate spread in their allowance rates, which range from 52% to 78% with a median of 68%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be strong enough to stand on its own regardless of who is presiding.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
Even at offices like Pasadena where most hearings result in an allowance, cases that fail often share one common trait: a record that did not anticipate the vocational expert's testimony. An attorney who understands the local panel can pressure-test your evidence against the specific limitations the judge will look for.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these office details handy as you finalize your preparations for your hearing date.
Most Favorable Judges
Pasadena, CA
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barbara Dunn | 72% | 67% | 23,538 | |
| 2 | Donna M. Montano | 69% | 59% | 11,970 | |
| 3 | Philip J. Simon | 69% | 59% | 12,395 | |
| 4 | Lesley Troope | 69% | 59% | 15,061 | |
| 5 | Ghermann Magana | 69% | 52% | 6,340 | |
| 6 | John D. Moreen | 66% | 56% | 2,600 | |
| 7 | Ken H. Chau | 64% | 68% | 17,686 | |
| 8 | Bruce T. Cooper | 63% | 55% | 23,252 | |
| 9 | David Lacy | 54% | 48% | 7,024 | |
| 10 | James D. Goodman | 41% | 35% | 10,226 | |
| 11 | Joel B. Martinez | 36% | 31% | 1,079 |
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.