Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Patrick S. Cutter has a 64% approval rate since 2016, his latest-period approval rate is 54%. This latest-period figure sits 11 percentage points above the Harrisburg office average of 43% and aligns with the state average of 54%. These figures are based on 3,607 decisions on record, providing a view of his decision-making history. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Cutter'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 Patrick S. Cutter has fluctuated since 2016. After a peak in 2017, the trend saw a decline before an uptick in 2024. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 54% approval rate, which is a partial figure for the fiscal year. This recent shift reflects a change in the volume of favorable decisions compared to other years on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cutter'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 Harrisburg hearing office
The Harrisburg hearing office serves you and other claimants across Pennsylvania. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide latest-period approval rate is 43%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Harrisburg
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 17% to 86% on their records since 2016. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Patrick S. Cutter has an approval rate of 64% since 2016, while the range for all judges whose most recent office on record is this one is 17% to 86%. In the latest reporting period, his 54% approval rate is 11 percentage points higher than the Harrisburg office average of 43%. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Patrick S. Cutter has varied over time, starting at 64% in 2016 and reaching 54% in the most recent partial fiscal year of 2026. These fluctuations are common in SSDI dockets and may be influenced by changes in case evidence or policy. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot control who hears your case, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this office.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and your functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions Patrick S. Cutter or any other judge may ask.
