Approval rates
Comparing a judge's record requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Laura Bernasconi maintains a 61% lifetime approval rate, her performance in the latest reporting period shows a 62% approval rate. This latest figure sits 5 percentage points above the current Providence office average of 57%. These metrics provide a statistical baseline for your hearing, though they remain distinct from the specific evidence in your file.
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
The record for Laura Bernasconi spans 3,032 lifetime decisions beginning in 2017. Her approval trend has shown fluctuations over the years, moving from 65% in 2017 to 62% in 2026. This pattern suggests a steady approach to case evaluation, with the latest period remaining consistent with her long-term average. These yearly shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of medical evidence presented.
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
The Providence hearing office serves you throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding region. As part of a busy regional network, this office manages a diverse caseload with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 57%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can see the Providence Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. The Providence bench includes 11 judges on record since 2016, with 6 judges currently reporting in the latest period. Approval rates across this office vary significantly, with lifetime records ranging from 32% to 75%.
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
In the latest reporting period, Laura Bernasconi's 62% approval rate is 5 percentage points higher than the Providence office average of 57%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Laura Bernasconi's approval rate has remained relatively steady across her 3,032 lifetime decisions. While yearly rates have fluctuated since 2017, the latest period of 62% aligns closely with her long-term performance. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case that meets the standard of proof regardless of who presides.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is organized for the judge.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of a future outcome. While Laura Bernasconi has a 61% lifetime approval rate, your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.