Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Laura Bernasconi's 61% approval rate since 2017 provides a baseline for evaluating her decision history against the 32% to 75% range of the local bench. In the most recent reporting period, her 62% approval rate sits 5 points above the Providence office average of 57%. These figures rely on a significant volume of cases to ensure statistical confidence.
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 Bernasconi'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 2017, Laura Bernasconi has issued 3,032 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuation, with approval rates moving from 65% in 2017 to a low of 57% in 2021 and 2023, before rising to 66% in 2025. The most recent 2026 data shows a 62% approval rate, which is consistent with the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bernasconi'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 Providence hearing office
Laura Bernasconi's most recent office on record is the Providence hearing office, which serves you if you are in Rhode Island. This office maintains a bench of 11 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 57%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Providence
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 32% to 75% since 2016.
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
Laura Bernasconi's 62% approval rate in the latest reporting period is 5 points higher than the Providence office average of 57%. While this indicates a higher rate than the office average, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to meet the specific requirements of your hearing.
The approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 65% in 2017 and reaching 66% in 2025. The rate has seen both highs and lows, but the 62% rate in 2026 remains close to the long-term average of 61%. If you are concerned about how these trends might impact your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by working with an attorney who understands the hearing process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and daily activities. Having an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly organized for the judge.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Laura Bernasconi has an approval rate of 61% since 2017, your success depends on the specific medical evidence supporting your disability. An attorney can help you review your file to see if you have the necessary documentation to support your claim.
