Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their peers. The 77% approval rate for Kenneth Bossong is based on 694 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the South Jersey hearing office, this rate sits within a range of 50% to 93%. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Bossong. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bossong'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 pattern for Kenneth Bossong has remained consistent over the available data window. With 694 decisions on record since 2016, the judge maintained a 77% approval rate in both 2016 and 2017. This steady performance indicates a stable approach to case evaluation throughout the recorded period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bossong'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 South Jersey hearing office
The South Jersey hearing office serves claimants across the region, functioning as a hub for SSDI hearings in New Jersey. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal environment where evidence quality and medical documentation are the primary drivers of any decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is South Jersey
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the South Jersey hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 50% to 93% on their since-2016 records. Because approval rates vary across this bench, understanding the general landscape is helpful for your preparation.
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
Kenneth Bossong has an approval rate of 77% based on 694 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 50% to 93% range observed among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the South Jersey hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Kenneth Bossong remained steady at 77% throughout the data window of 2016 and 2017. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating claims over the period recorded. If you are concerned about how your evidence aligns with this pattern, an attorney can help you review your file.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case that addresses the common standards applied by any judge at the office.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. Because the process is rigorous, an attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you ensure your case is presented as effectively as possible.
