Approval rates
The approval rate for Michael D. Cofresi is based on a total of 66 decisions on record since January 2016. When comparing this to the broader bench at the Queens hearing office, where approval rates for judges range from 49% to 85% over the same period, you can see how this judge's history aligns with local trends. These figures are derived from Social Security Administration data to help you understand the context of your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Cofresi. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Cofresi'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 data for Michael D. Cofresi covers a record window from January 2016 through September 2016. During this period, the judge issued 66 decisions with an approval rate of 67%. Because this data window is limited to a single year, the trend appears steady within the available timeframe. This pattern provides a baseline for understanding the judge's historical decision-making, though your case outcome depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cofresi'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 Queens hearing office
The Queens hearing office, located in New York, serves a significant volume of claimants in the region. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, reflecting a diverse bench with varying approval patterns. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical documentation is paramount.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Queens
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Queens hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 49% to 85% on their records since 2016. While these statistics provide context, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing.
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
Michael D. Cofresi has an approval rate of 67% based on 66 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 49% to 85% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Queens hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
The data for Michael D. Cofresi is limited to the period between January 2016 and September 2016, during which the approval rate remained at 67%. Because the record is confined to this window, the pattern is viewed as steady. If you are concerned about how this history affects your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Michael D. Cofresi has a 67% approval rate on record, your success depends on the strength of your medical evidence and how it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your evidence before your hearing date.
