Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While you see an approval rate of 40% for Amy Chau since 2023, recent data shows a 46% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This is 8 percentage points lower than the 54% approval rate seen across the Moreno Valley office during the same recent timeframe. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions, providing a stable look at past performance.
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 Chau'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 January 2023, Amy Chau has issued 1,177 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuation, with approval rates moving from 39% in 2023 to 35% in 2024, followed by 40% in 2025 and 46% in 2026. The 2026 figure represents a fiscal year to date, which is a partial record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Chau'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 Moreno Valley hearing office
The Moreno Valley hearing office serves claimants in California. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 54%. You can see the Moreno Valley hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley
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 Moreno Valley office. Approval rates for this bench range from 40% to 72% based on their records since 2016.
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
Amy Chau has an approval rate of 40% since 2023. This is at the lower end of the 40% to 72% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate has shown movement over time. It was 39% in 2023, 35% in 2024, 40% in 2025, and 46% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy based on these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence meets the necessary standards.
