Approval rates
The approval rates for Dante M. Alegre reflect a significant volume of cases, providing a stable statistical baseline. When comparing the judge's latest-period approval rate of 31% against the Phoenix Downtown office's latest-period rate of 57%, a difference of -26 percentage points emerges. These figures are contrasted against the broader bench, where judges whose most recent office on record is this one show approval rates ranging from 32% to 78% since 2016.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Alegre's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since 2016, Dante M. Alegre has maintained a consistent decision pattern across 3,901 decisions on record. The yearly approval trend shows fluctuations, with rates reaching 41% in 2017 before trending toward the current 31% observed in the latest reporting period. This recent figure represents a continuation of the long-term average, suggesting a stable approach to case evaluation.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Alegre's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Phoenix Downtown hearing office
Dante M. Alegre's most recent office on record is the Phoenix Downtown hearing office, which serves you if you are in the surrounding area. With 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 57%. You can expect a formal hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix Downtown
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 32% to 78% on their records since 2016.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Dante M. Alegre has an approval rate of 32% on record since 2016. In comparison, the bench of 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one shows a wide range of approval rates, from 32% to 78%. An attorney can help you understand how these variations might impact your specific case strategy.
The approval rate for Dante M. Alegre has fluctuated over the years, starting at 36% in 2016 and reaching 31% in the latest reporting period. While these yearly shifts occur, the overall pattern remains consistent with the 32% approval rate observed across 3,901 decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing by analyzing these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any hearing outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the nature of your impairments. Having an attorney present can help ensure your evidence is presented clearly and effectively.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Dante M. Alegre will rule on your specific case. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your functional limitations. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of the judge assigned.
