Approval rates
John Campbell currently holds a 63% lifetime approval rate, which provides a statistical baseline for your case. In the most recent reporting period, their 67% approval rate outperformed the Newark Hearing Office average of 57% and the national average of 58%. These figures are derived from 14,988 lifetime decisions, offering a stable view of their judicial history. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Campbell'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
Over a 9-year tenure, John Campbell has shown an upward trend in approval rates. After starting at 55% in 2018, the rate climbed to reach 73% in 2023, with recent performance at 71% through 2025. This trajectory reflects a consistent approach to evaluating evidence over time. The latest period indicates that the judge's current decision-making process is well-established.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Campbell'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.
Hearing with Judge Campbell? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Newark hearing office
The Newark Hearing Office serves a large population across New Jersey, managing a high volume of disability claims with a team of 6 ALJs. The office maintains a latest approval rate of 57%, reflecting the complex nature of the cases heard in this region. You can expect a formal environment where medical evidence and vocational testimony are prioritized. You can see the Newark Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot choose your judge. Within the Newark Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench vary, ranging from 40% to 65%. While these differences exist, the core requirements for proving your disability remain consistent regardless of who presides over your hearing. You can find more information on the Newark Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.