Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 56% approval rate for William J. Bezego reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we compare against the 33% to 72% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is Seven Fields. This data provides a statistical baseline for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bezego. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bezego'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 approval rate for William J. Bezego has shown an upward trend over the 3,701 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 47% in 2016, 53% in 2017, 53% in 2018, 53% in 2019, 52% in 2020, 52% in 2021, 59% in 2022, 62% in 2023, 67% in 2024, and 64% in 2025.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bezego'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 Seven Fields hearing office
William J. Bezego's most recent office on record is the Seven Fields hearing office, which serves claimants in Pennsylvania. This office is part of a broader regional network, and its bench consists of 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Seven Fields Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seven Fields
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Seven Fields. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 72% on their since-2016 records.
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
William J. Bezego has a 56% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 33% to 72% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Seven Fields. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for William J. Bezego has trended upward. After years of stability near 50%, the rate rose to 67% in 2024. An attorney can help you understand how these trends may relate to your case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you organize your evidence to present the strongest possible case.
The 56% approval rate for William J. Bezego is a historical average, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and how it aligns with SSA criteria are the most important factors. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strength.
