Approval rates
When evaluating your hearing, it is helpful to look at how a judge compares to their peers. At the Wilkes Barre office, lifetime approval rates among the 13 judges on record range from 27% to 57%. In the most recent reporting period, Frank Barletta maintained an approval rate of 46%, which is 1 percentage point higher than the office-wide average of 45%.
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 Barletta'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, Frank Barletta has presided over 4,173 decisions. His yearly approval trend has remained relatively steady, fluctuating between a low of 43% in 2021 and a high of 52% in 2024. The most recent data shows a 46% approval rate, which aligns closely with his long-term historical average. This consistency suggests a stable approach to case evaluation, though recent outcomes may still be influenced by changes in the specific evidence or medical documentation presented in your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Barletta'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 Wilkes Barre hearing office
The Wilkes Barre hearing office serves you throughout the Pennsylvania region. It is staffed by 13 judges who manage a diverse caseload of disability applications. The office currently maintains an average approval rate of 45% for the latest reporting period. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence provided in your file. You can see the Wilkes Barre Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 13 judges on record at the Wilkes Barre office, 11 of whom reported data in the latest period. With lifetime approval rates across this bench ranging from 27% to 57%, the judge you draw can vary significantly in their historical patterns.
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
Frank Barletta has a lifetime approval rate of 48%, placing him within the 27% to 57% range seen among the 13 judges at the Wilkes Barre office. While he sits near the middle of this spectrum, an attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
His approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016, with yearly figures showing minor fluctuations rather than a sharp upward or downward trend. The most recent 46% approval rate is consistent with his long-term performance. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you review your options.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control your judge assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case that addresses the specific requirements of the hearing process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's historical approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence to strengthen your position.