Approval rates
The approval rate for Jasper J. Bede is based on 962 decisions recorded between 2016 and 2019. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically handled cases compared to the broader bench at the Elkins Park office. While the office bench shows a wide range of approval outcomes from 45% to 82%, these numbers reflect the diversity of case types and evidence presented.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bede. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bede'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 Jasper J. Bede has fluctuated across the 962 decisions on record since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 58% in 2016, the data shows a peak in 2017 followed by a decline in 2018. By the final year of the record in 2019, the rate settled at 61%. This trend indicates that your judge's decision-making has varied over time, likely influenced by changes in the specific mix of cases or the quality of evidence presented in those years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bede'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 Elkins Park hearing office
The Elkins Park hearing office serves you and other claimants across Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. With a bench of 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a significant volume of disability claims. You can expect a formal process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in your outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Elkins Park office, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 82% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge brings a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the office-wide landscape is helpful.
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
Jasper J. Bede has an approval rate of 61% based on 962 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 45% to 82% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Jasper J. Bede has shifted over time. It began at 58% in 2016, rose to 76% in 2017, and then adjusted to 57% and 61% in the following years. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical or mental limitations. Working with an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for these questions.
The 61% approval rate for Jasper J. Bede represents past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence remains the most important factor. An attorney can help you see if your case is positioned for success.
