Dover's 63% allowance rate is typical for hearing offices, meaning your outcome depends on the quality of your evidence. With a steady 7.5-month wait time, you have a predictable window to organize your medical history. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your file that an ALJ might otherwise flag during your testimony.
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
Your hearing in Dover will involve testifying under oath before an ALJ. Because this office maintains a steady pace, you should submit all updated medical records, medication side-effect logs, and daily-activity journals well before the deadline. A Vocational Expert will typically attend to testify about your ability to perform work; you and your attorney have the right to question their analysis of your limitations. Ensure you bring a valid photo ID and any new evidence that was not available during your initial denial. Decisions are rarely delivered on the spot, so expect to receive a written notice in the mail after the proceedings conclude.
The Judges at This Office
The panel of 3 judges at this office operates with a tight allowance-rate spread, with individual rates clustering between 54% and 67%. This consistency means that while random assignment determines your judge, the panel generally evaluates evidence with a similar standard. While this predictability is helpful, each judge still weighs testimony differently, and your file must be robust enough to stand on its own merits regardless of who presides.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
With a 7.5-month wait between your appeal and your hearing date, you have a significant runway to prepare your case. You can use this time to gather missing documentation that could clarify your physical or mental limitations to the Social Security Administration. You can translate your medical records into the specific language the court uses to evaluate disability, ensuring your testimony aligns with the evidence in your file.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these details handy for your hearing day at the Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover.
Most Favorable Judges
Dover, DE
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley Petraschuk | 91% | 77% | 1,619 | |
| 2 | Edward J. Banas | 70% | 60% | 819 | |
| 3 | Anthony Reeves | 64% | 60% | 17,510 | |
| 4 | Steven L. Butler | 62% | 58% | 23,843 | |
| 5 | Bernadette Reiling | 45% | 37% | 3,197 | |
| 6 | Jack Penca | 42% | 36% | 16,892 |
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.