Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
The panel of judges whose most recent office on record is this one shows a moderate spread in approval rates, which range from 36% to 58% with a median of 52%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variation means your file must be robust enough to stand on its own merits regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert A. DiBiccaro | 58% | 539 | |
| 2 | Eskunder Boyd | 57% | 4,136 | |
| 3 | Brien Horan | 55% | 877 | |
| 4 | Deirdre R. Horton | 52% | 2,876 | |
| 5 | I. K. Harrington | 51% | 3,056 | |
| 6 | Matthew Kuperstein | 47% | 2,404 | |
| 7 | Ronald J. Thomas | 39% | 3,264 | |
| 8 | John T. Molleur | 36% | 2,225 |
Former & transferred judges
SSA rosters change as judges retire, transfer, or move to national assignments. These judges previously decided Social Security disability cases from this location, and their most recent office on record has no hearing-office page on this site. Their full public decision records are on their profiles.
How long you'll wait
At New Haven, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8.5 months— versus a national average of 8.2 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Going to your hearing
With an 8.5-month wait, you have a significant window to strengthen your file before your hearing. You must submit all updated medical records, a current medication list with side effects, and a daily-activity log well before the deadline, as last-minute evidence is often restricted. During your hearing, an Administrative Law Judge will preside, and a vocational expert will likely testify about jobs that fit your physical or mental limits. You can question the expert to clarify how your specific impairments prevent you from maintaining full-time work. A final decision will arrive by mail in the weeks following your appearance.
When a panel's approval rates span over 20 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to gaps in documentation. You can use the 8.5-month wait time to pressure-test your evidence against the vocational expert's likely testimony. This preparation is the most effective way to ensure your case is ready for any judge on the panel.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at New Haven, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. SSA's published service areas route these offices' appeals here. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The average wait for a hearing at this office is 8.5 months. This is very close to the national average of 8.2 months. An attorney can help you navigate this wait time effectively.
Cases are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific standards of the panel.
You generally cannot request a specific judge. Since the panel shows a moderate spread in approval rates, it is more effective to focus on building a comprehensive medical record that supports your claim under any judge. An attorney can help you build this record.
While not required, representation is highly recommended. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare you for the vocational expert's testimony, which is often the deciding factor in a hearing.
