Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. While Alan B. Berkowitz maintains a 67% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period rate of 71% aligns exactly with the current office average. This latest-period performance sits 9 points above the New York state average of 62% and 13 points above the national average of 58%. These figures rely on a robust docket of 3,992 lifetime decisions. These rates reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your case.
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 Berkowitz'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 record for Alan B. Berkowitz spans from 2016 through 2026, covering 3,992 total decisions. His approval rate has shown a steady pattern over the last decade, fluctuating between 61% and 73% annually. The most recent reporting period shows a 71% approval rate, which is consistent with his historical performance. This latest period reflects a continuation of his steady decision-making pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Berkowitz'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 Long Island hearing office
The Long Island hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. With 12 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 71%. You can expect a professional environment where evidence quality remains the primary driver of your case outcome. You can see the Long Island 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 your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 12 judges on record at this office since 2016, 7 of whom reported in the latest period. Lifetime approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 48% to 83%. You can view the full roster of judges at the Long Island hearing office page.
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
Alan B. Berkowitz has a lifetime approval rate of 67% across 3,992 decisions. This places him within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 48% to 83%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific evidence aligns with the expectations at this office.
His approval rate has remained relatively steady since 2016. While annual fluctuations occur, his most recent 71% approval rate is consistent with his long-term record. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but an attorney can help you prepare for the specific procedures of the Long Island hearing office.
A 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 and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.