Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the office bench shows a wide range of approval rates from 20% to 73% since 2016, Leonard F. Costa maintains a 53% approval rate over the same period. In the most recent reporting period, his 59% approval rate sits 4 percentage points above the Newark office average of 55%. These figures are derived from a volume of 3,299 decisions on record.
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 Costa'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 October 2016, Leonard F. Costa has issued 3,299 decisions on record. His approval rate has shown a steady trend, moving from 52% in 2017 to 60% in 2025. The most recent fiscal year-to-date data shows a 59% approval rate, which remains consistent with the higher end of his historical performance.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Costa'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 Newark hearing office
The Newark hearing office serves claimants throughout the region and maintains a bench of 17 judges. As of the most recent office on record in July 2026, the office-wide approval rate was 55% for the latest reporting period. You can see the Newark Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge assigned to your hearing is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Newark office, and 10 of them decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench vary significantly, ranging from 20% to 73% 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
Leonard F. Costa has a 53% approval rate since 2016, which sits within the broader office range of 20% to 73%. In the latest reporting period, his 59% approval rate is 4 percentage points higher than the Newark office average of 55%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's bench.
Yes, his approval rate has fluctuated over time, starting at 52% in 2017 and reaching 60% in 2025. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 59% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony to determine if you meet the criteria for disability. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and is not a prediction of how your individual case will be decided. While Leonard F. Costa has a 53% approval rate since 2016, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence and documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
