Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 49% approval rate for Anne W. Chain is based on 880 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 45% to 82% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. 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 Chain. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Chain'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 Anne W. Chain has fluctuated across the 880 decisions on record since 2016. The data shows an approval rate of 42% in 2016, 55% in 2017, 48% in 2018, and 52% in 2019. These shifts demonstrate that annual outcomes vary based on the specific evidence and case mix presented during those periods. This pattern suggests that while there is historical variance, decisions remain sensitive to the individual merits of your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Chain'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 Elkins Park hearing office
Anne W. Chain's most recent SSA record (September 2019) is at the Elkins Park hearing office in Pennsylvania. This office maintains a bench of 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical documentation is critical to the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 82% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
Anne W. Chain has an approval rate of 49% across 880 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 45% to 82% range of approval rates for the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
The approval rate for Anne W. Chain has seen year-to-year variation, starting at 42% in 2016 and reaching 52% by 2019. These fluctuations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or the quality of evidence presented. An attorney can help you prepare a case that addresses the specific requirements of your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building a strong case with your attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an Administrative Law Judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical conditions. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how they will rule on your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and your testimony. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for the hearing process.
