Approval rates
The 52% approval rate for Stephen C. Calvarese reflects his entire record since 2016, which you can compare against the 33% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville. These figures are based on 2,584 decisions, providing a stable view of past activity. Aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Calvarese. 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 Calvarese'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 Stephen C. Calvarese has varied across the 2,584 decisions on record since 2016. The rate was 44% in 2016, 47% in 2017, 48% in 2018, 49% in 2019, 60% in 2020, 57% in 2021, and 60% in 2022. This pattern shows how the frequency of approvals has shifted over the years.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Calvarese'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 Jacksonville hearing office
Stephen C. Calvarese's most recent office on record is the Jacksonville hearing office, with his last recorded decision there in September 2022. This office has a bench of 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can see the Jacksonville hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville, and their approval rates since 2016 range from 33% to 78%. You can find the full ALJ roster on the Jacksonville hearing office page.
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
With a 52% approval rate since 2016, Stephen C. Calvarese sits within the 33% to 78% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Jacksonville. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards applied in this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Stephen C. Calvarese has fluctuated over time, ranging from 44% in 2016 to 60% in 2022. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for a hearing by reviewing how these trends might relate to your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is properly presented.
The 52% approval rate for Stephen C. Calvarese is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to demonstrate your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
