Approval rates
The approval rate for John P. Costello is based on 2,399 decisions issued since January 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Rochester hearing office, where the 4 judges whose most recent office on record is this one range from 65% to 77% in their approval rates over the same period.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Costello. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Costello'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 John P. Costello has varied across the 2,399 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 58% in 2016, the rate reached 72% in 2020 and 73% in 2025. These shifts often correlate with changes in case mix or the specific nature of the evidence presented in your claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Costello'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 Rochester hearing office
John P. Costello's most recent SSA record (September 2025) is at the Rochester hearing office, which serves the surrounding region in New York. This office maintains a bench of 4 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Rochester
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 4 judges whose most recent office on record is the Rochester hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 65% to 77% 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
John P. Costello has an approval rate of 65% on record since 2016. This falls within the 65% to 77% range observed among the 4 judges whose most recent office on record is Rochester. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for John P. Costello has fluctuated over the years, starting at 58% in 2016 and reaching 73% in 2025. These trends are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases or evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you will face.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While John P. Costello has approved 65% of cases since 2016, your individual success depends on the medical evidence and documentation in your file. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
