Approval rates
The approval rate for Charles Bridges is based on 1,162 lifetime decisions, providing a clear statistical view of past activity. Within the Harrisburg hearing office, lifetime approval rates among the 13 judges on record range from 17% to 86%. These figures provide context for the office environment, though they do not dictate the outcome of any single hearing. 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 Bridges. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Bridges'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 2016, the approval rate for Charles Bridges has remained steady, showing consistent patterns in how cases are evaluated. The yearly trend indicates that Charles Bridges has maintained a high approval frequency throughout the recorded period, with recent data showing a continuation of this established approach. This consistency helps provide a reliable baseline for understanding the record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bridges'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 Harrisburg hearing office
The Harrisburg hearing office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 13 judges on record. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 43%, which provides a benchmark for the local environment. You can expect a standard administrative process focused on the evidence presented in your specific file. You can see the Harrisburg Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the assignment process is essentially random. There are 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom are reported in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 17% to 86% over their respective lifetimes. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Charles Bridges has an 86% lifetime approval rate, which sits at the high end of the 17% to 86% range observed among the 13 judges on record at the Harrisburg office. While this rate is higher than many peers, every case depends on the specific medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the evidentiary standards required for a favorable decision.
The approval rate for Charles Bridges has remained steady throughout the record window starting in 2016. The data shows a consistent pattern of decision-making rather than significant fluctuations. If you are concerned about how your case will be handled, an attorney can help you understand the nuances of your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of an attorney is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's lifetime approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. While Charles Bridges has an 86% lifetime approval rate, the outcome of your hearing will ultimately depend on the quality of your medical documentation. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to present the strongest possible case.