St. Petersburg’s 7-month wait time is one month faster than the national average, giving you a slightly tighter window to finalize your medical evidence. With an office-wide allowance rate of 63%, your success depends on the quality of your documentation. Because the panel shows a moderate spread in judge allowance rates, an attorney can help you evaluate your file against the specific standards of the judges at this office.
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Check My BenefitsPreparing for Your Hearing
Hearings at this office move faster than the national norm, so you must submit all updated medical records well before the deadline. You will likely spend time before an ALJ, where a vocational expert will testify about your ability to perform specific jobs. Bring your identification, a current medication list with side effects, and a log of your daily activities to support your testimony. Because the judges here show a moderate spread in their approval rates, your file must clearly address the limitations that prevent you from working. The judge will not issue a decision immediately; you will receive a written notice by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
The Judges at This Office
The panel of 8 judges at this office shows a moderate spread in allowance rates, ranging from 54% to 82%. 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 up to the scrutiny of any judge on the panel.
Why Representation Matters at the Hearing Stage
Hearings at this office come up quickly, leaving little room for error once your date is set. While the 63% allowance rate is encouraging, cases that fail often do so because they lack the specific medical evidence needed to counter the vocational expert's testimony. Organizing your records and preparing for the questions you will face under oath is a standard part of the hearing process.
About This Hearing Office
Keep these details handy for your hearing day at the St. Petersburg office.
Most Favorable Judges
St. Petersburg, FL
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Full Approval | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laurel J. Greene | 86% | 73% | 9,884 | |
| 2 | John D. McNamee-Alemany | 83% | 71% | 14,999 | |
| 3 | Scott T. Miller | 80% | 68% | 12,563 | |
| 4 | Norman R. Zamboni | 75% | 64% | 21,207 | |
| 5 | F. T. Eckert Jr. | 75% | 64% | 2,774 | |
| 6 | Sheila Lowther | 71% | 64% | 6,671 | |
| 7 | Christopher Messina | 69% | 79% | 18,623 | |
| 8 | James P. Alderisio | 65% | 57% | 30,220 | |
| 9 | Richard P. Gartner | 64% | 71% | 15,372 | |
| 10 | Rita E. Foley | 63% | 54% | 19,886 | |
| 11 | Donald G. Smith | 57% | 58% | 35,321 | |
| 12 | Anne V. Sprague | 54% | 52% | 26,405 | |
| 13 | Peter Kafkas | 51% | 52% | 22,292 | |
| 14 | Joseph F. Dent | 42% | 36% | 15,705 | |
| 15 | Elving L. Torres | 39% | 33% | 19,737 | |
| 16 | Kurt G. Ehrman | 38% | 32% | 24,829 | |
| 17 | Arline Colon | 34% | 29% | 8,804 |
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.