Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. The 54% approval rate for Betty Roberts Barbeito reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 51% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached cases.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Barbeito. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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
The approval rate for Betty Roberts Barbeito has remained relatively steady across 1,423 decisions on record since 2016. Yearly performance fluctuated from a low of 51% in 2016 and 2020 to a high of 59% in 2017. This pattern suggests a consistent approach to the evidence presented in your disability claim over the four-year window.
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.
About the San Jose hearing office
Betty Roberts Barbeito's most recent office on record is the San Jose hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves you and other claimants in the California region and maintains a bench of 10 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process where the focus is on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 51% to 78%. While this variation exists, the core requirements for proving your disability remain the same regardless of who is presiding.
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
Betty Roberts Barbeito has a 54% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 51% to 78% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is San Jose. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards expected at this office.
The approval rate for Betty Roberts Barbeito has held relatively steady since 2016. While there was a peak of 59% in 2017, the rate returned to 51% by 2020. Understanding these historical patterns is part of how an attorney can help you build a stronger case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ALJs. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is vital to have an attorney who can help you prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
