Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance to broader benchmarks provides context for what to expect at your hearing. Judge Barbeito's lifetime approval rate of 53% is measured against the San Jose Hearing Office latest average of 58% and the national average of 58%. With a docket spanning 7,100 lifetime decisions, these figures offer a stable view of her historical decision-making. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Barbeito'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
Over her 3 years on the bench, Judge Barbeito's approval rate has shown fluctuation. Starting at 49% in 2016, the rate rose to 58% in 2017 before adjusting to 54% in 2018. This pattern indicates a judge who responds to the specific evidence and case mix presented during each reporting period. These shifts suggest that the quality of your medical documentation remains the most critical factor in your outcome.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Barbeito'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.
Hearing with Judge Barbeito? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Phoenix hearing office
The San Jose Hearing Office serves a significant population in California, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains a latest approval rate of 58%. When you appear here, be prepared for a rigorous review of your medical evidence and work history. You can see the San Jose Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. Within the San Jose Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 48% to 78%. This variance highlights why preparation is essential regardless of who is assigned to your file. You can find more information on the office's general trends on the hearing office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.