Approval rates
The approval rate for Peter Beekman is based on 2,838 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2023. At the Cleveland hearing office, the lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 17% to 70%. This variance highlights the importance of presenting evidence tailored to the specific requirements of your claim. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Beekman. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2023. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Beekman'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, the approval pattern for Peter Beekman has remained steady, with yearly rates fluctuating between 33% and 44%. His 2023 data shows an approval rate of 43%, which sits above his 38% lifetime average. This trend suggests a consistent application of standards throughout his time on the bench.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Beekman'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 Cleveland hearing office
The Cleveland hearing office serves you throughout the Ohio region. This office maintains a bench of 22 judges who manage a high volume of disability hearings. You can expect a formal process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in a favorable outcome. You can see the Cleveland Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Cleveland hearing office uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 22 judges on record at this office since 2016, 11 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. With lifetime approval rates across the office ranging from 17% to 70%, your specific judge can influence the context of your hearing. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Judge Beekman has a lifetime approval rate of 38%, which sits within the broader range of 17% to 70% seen across the Cleveland hearing office. Because every judge has a unique approach to evidence, an attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific standards of this office.
His approval rate has remained steady, with yearly figures ranging from 33% to 44% since 2016. The most recent data from 2023 shows a 43% approval rate, which is consistent with his historical record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific hearing strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench and ensure your testimony is clear.
A 38% lifetime approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary legal standards.