Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While the 55% approval rate covers the entire period since 2016, the latest-period data provides a snapshot of more recent activity. By evaluating these figures against the 27% to 74% range observed among the bench at the Hartford hearing office, you can better understand the context of your upcoming hearing.
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 Alger'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, the approval rate for Ryan A. Alger has shown varying trends, moving from 50% in the initial year to a peak of 64% in 2024. With 3,310 total decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent volume of activity. The most recent fiscal year-to-date figure of 57% shows a slight shift from the previous year's 59%. This latest period reflects a continuation of a pattern that has fluctuated within a moderate range over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Alger'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 Hartford hearing office
Ryan A. Alger's most recent office on record is the Hartford hearing office. This office maintains a bench of 9 judges who handle a diverse range of disability claims. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 59%, providing a baseline for the region.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hartford
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 6 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 27% to 74% 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
Ryan A. Alger has an approval rate of 55% across 3,310 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 27% to 74% seen among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is Hartford. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific tendencies of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Ryan A. Alger has fluctuated over time, starting at 50% in 2016 and reaching 57% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. These shifts are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony effectively.
The 55% approval rate for Ryan A. Alger is a statistical observation of past performance and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most critical factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you build a strong case tailored to the requirements of the Social Security Administration.
