Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 46% approval rate for Ellen P. Bush reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 41% to 73% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office. With over 3,000 decisions, this data provides a stable view of past activity. These 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 Bush. 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 Bush'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 Ellen P. Bush has fluctuated since 2016. After maintaining rates near 48% through 2020, the data shows a decline in 2021 and 2022, followed by a return to levels near 49% and 50% in 2023 and 2024. The 2025 figure of 47% reflects the most recent activity on record. These variations often stem from changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented, rather than a fixed judicial philosophy.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bush'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 Lawrence MA hearing office
Ellen P. Bush's most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office, which serves the Massachusetts region. This office is part of a broader network of hearing locations that handle a high volume of disability claims. With 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you will encounter a variety of judicial perspectives. For more information on the local bench, see the Lawrence MA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lawrence MA
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 73% on their since-2016 records. While these rates differ, the process for presenting your medical evidence and testimony remains consistent. 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
Ellen P. Bush has a 46% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 41% to 73% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific standards of this office.
The approval rate for Ellen P. Bush has seen shifts over time, moving from 47% in 2016 to a low of 36% in 2022 before returning to 49% in 2024. These trends are based on 3,005 decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because assignment is random, it is vital to have your case fully prepared regardless of which judge is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of the medical evidence and how well you document your inability to perform substantial gainful activity. An attorney can help you build a stronger case by ensuring all relevant medical records are properly presented.
