Approval rates
Comparing judicial records requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Sheena Barr holds a 78% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period performance shows an 80% approval rate, which sits 15 points above the Jersey City office average of 65%. These figures are drawn from a robust set of 3,091 lifetime decisions, providing a clear view of her historical decision-making. These aggregate rates reflect past trends rather than specific outcomes for your 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 Barr'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, Sheena Barr has maintained a generally upward trend in her approval rates. While her early record saw rates in the low 70s, recent years have shown a marked increase, peaking at 90% in 2024 and 2025 before settling at 80% in the most recent reporting period. This pattern suggests a steady approach to evaluating evidence over her 3,091 lifetime decisions. The latest period reflects a continuation of this pattern, remaining well above the office-wide average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Barr'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Jersey City hearing office
The Jersey City hearing office serves you and other claimants throughout the region, managing a diverse caseload of disability applications. With 11 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest approval rate of 65%. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in your outcome. You can see the Jersey City 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 you cannot request a specific judge. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 44% to 79% on a lifetime basis. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Sheena Barr currently maintains an 80% approval rate in the latest reporting period, which is 15 points higher than the 65% average for the Jersey City office. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, her approval rate has shown a steady upward trend since 2016, moving from 72% in her first year on record to a high of 90% in 2024 and 2025. The most recent data shows an 80% approval rate, suggesting a consistent approach to case evaluation. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards this judge typically looks for.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Jersey City office. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of which judge is ultimately assigned to your case.
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 work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is organized to support your claim.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While Sheena Barr has a 78% lifetime approval rate, the outcome of your hearing depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for your hearing.