Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While your judge's overall approval rate since 2016 is 58%, his latest-period rate of 57% sits 4 percentage points below the Lawrence MA office's latest-period rate of 61%. These figures are derived from 3,871 decisions on record, providing a view of his decision-making patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual 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 Belford'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, your judge's approval rate has varied, moving from 54% in 2016 to 61% in 2025. The latest fiscal year-to-date data shows an approval rate of 57% over 430 decisions. This recent figure reflects a slight decline from the previous year, though it remains within the range observed throughout his time on record. The pattern suggests that while annual fluctuations occur, his approach to evidence remains consistent with his long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Belford'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 Lawrence MA hearing office
Timothy Belford's most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office, which serves the surrounding Massachusetts region. This office maintains a bench of 7 judges with a collective latest-period approval rate of 61%. You can expect a formal hearing process where evidence quality is the primary factor in your outcome. You can see the Lawrence MA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lawrence MA
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the Lawrence MA hearing office, there are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench range from 41% to 73% since 2016. 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 Belford's 58% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 41% to 73% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Lawrence MA. Comparing his latest-period rate of 57% to the office's latest-period rate of 61% shows he is 4 percentage points below the local average. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated, starting at 54% in 2016 and reaching 61% in 2025. The most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows an approval rate of 57% across 430 decisions. These shifts are common and may reflect changes in the types of cases assigned to the office. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring that assignments are random. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to have your case fully prepared for any outcome. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Judge Belford has approved 58% of cases since 2016, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and identify missing evidence.
