Judges whose most recent office on record is this one
Outcomes at this office swing significantly across the panel, with approval rates for judges with at least 30 decisions ranging from 42% to 90%. Because of this wide spread, which judge you draw matters as much as the office average. Cases are assigned randomly, and each judge weighs evidence differently, so your file must be strong enough to stand on its own merits regardless of the specific ALJ assigned to your case.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley Petraschuk | 90% | 155 | |
| 2 | Edward J. Banas | 70% | 84 | |
| 3 | Anthony Reeves | 64% | 2,686 | |
| 4 | Steven L. Butler | 62% | 3,384 | |
| 5 | Bernadette Reiling | 45% | 635 | |
| 6 | Jack Penca | 42% | 2,061 |
How long you'll wait
At Dover, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 8 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
Your hearing in Dover will typically last about 45 to 60 minutes, during which an ALJ will review your claim. Because the panel here shows a wide range of approval rates, your preparation must focus on creating a record that is thorough regardless of the judge assigned. You should bring an updated list of all medications and their side effects, along with a daily-activity log that clearly illustrates your functional limitations. A vocational expert will likely testify regarding jobs that fit your profile, and you or your attorney will have the opportunity to question them. Ensure all new medical records are submitted well before the deadline, as last-minute additions are restricted. A decision will arrive by mail in the weeks following your appearance.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 50 points, your file has to be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. Many claimants spend their 8-month wait simply waiting for a date, while represented claimants use that time to proactively address the vocational expert's likely questions. Preparing your evidence early helps you navigate the variation in judicial decision-making.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Dover, 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 months, which is slightly faster than the national average of 8.2 months.
Hearings are assigned randomly to the judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Because approval rates vary significantly across the panel, it is vital to have a well-documented file. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to meet the requirements of any judge on the panel.
You generally cannot choose your judge, as assignments are made by the Social Security Administration to ensure impartiality. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence to meet the requirements of any judge on the panel.
While you are not required to have an attorney, the wide variance in judge approval rates makes professional representation a significant advantage. An attorney can help you organize your medical evidence and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony.
