Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. Peter Beekman's 38% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 17% to 70% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland. This docket of 2,838 decisions provides a stable view of past activity. 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, Peter Beekman's approval rate has shown fluctuations, moving from 37% in 2016 to a peak of 44% in 2017 before trending through the mid-30s in subsequent years. The most recent data from 2023 shows an approval rate of 43% across 109 decisions. These shifts in the annual approval rate may reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented. The recent data suggests a return to higher approval levels compared to the 2021 low of 33%.
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
Peter Beekman's most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office, with activity through September 2023. This office serves you across Ohio and the surrounding region. With a bench of 22 judges, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 51%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is the Cleveland hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 17% to 70% on their records since 2016. Of these, 11 judges decided cases in the latest SSA file.
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
Peter Beekman's 38% approval rate on record since 2016 falls within the broader range of 17% to 70% for the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Cleveland. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how to present your specific evidence to this judge.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time, ranging from a low of 33% in 2021 to a high of 44% in 2017. The most recent data from 2023 shows an approval rate of 43% across 109 decisions. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your hearing strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for whichever judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing typically involves testimony from you, and often a vocational expert or medical expert, regarding your ability to perform work. The judge will review your medical records and the testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for SSDI benefits. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends on the medical evidence and documentation you provide, which an attorney can help you organize effectively.
