Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to understand how a judge performs relative to their peers. While the judge's since-2016 approval rate provides a long-term view of their docket, the latest-period data offers a snapshot of current trends. With 2,281 decisions on record, the data provides a look at past patterns.
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 Cerulli'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, your approval rate for Nicholas Cerulli has fluctuated, moving from 57% in 2016 to 62% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. This pattern reflects a varied approach to case evaluation over the 2,281 decisions on record. While the latest-period approval rate of 63% sits 6 points below the office average, it remains within a range consistent with historical activity.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cerulli'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 maintains a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 69%, this location manages a high volume of disability claims. You can see the South Jersey Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is South Jersey
The Social Security Administration uses 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 this one, and 8 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 50% to 93% on their since-2016 records.
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
Judge Cerulli has an approval rate of 59% on record since 2016. Across the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, approval rates range from 50% to 93%. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Nicholas Cerulli has fluctuated over time, starting at 57% in 2016 and reaching 62% in the 2026 fiscal year to date. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and the specific nature of your impairments. An attorney can help you navigate the questioning and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistic based on past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Judge Cerulli's 59% rate provides context, your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your case to improve your chances.
