Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The 58% approval rate for Sarah Cyrus reflects her total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 34% to 89% range seen among other judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office. This breadth of data provides a stable view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Cyrus. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Cyrus'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 1,343 decisions on record for Sarah Cyrus since 2016 show a fluctuating approval trend. After starting at 54% in 2016, the rate reached a high of 68% in 2019 before shifting to 51% in 2020. These yearly variations are common in SSDI hearings as case complexity and evidence quality change over time. This pattern suggests that while historical averages provide context, the specific circumstances of your case remain the most critical factor in your hearing outcome.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Cyrus'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 Orlando hearing office
Sarah Cyrus's most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves the Florida region and maintains a bench of 17 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with approval rates ranging from 34% to 89% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence.
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
Sarah Cyrus has an approval rate of 58% across 1,343 decisions on record since 2016. Other judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando hearing office show a wide range of approval rates, from 34% to 89%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
Yes, the approval rate for Sarah Cyrus has fluctuated over time. It moved from 54% in 2016 to a peak of 68% in 2019, followed by a rate of 51% in 2020. These shifts often reflect changes in the types of cases or the quality of evidence presented, and an attorney can help you ensure your case is prepared to meet the necessary standards.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, making the assignment process random. Because you cannot influence this assignment, focusing on a strong, well-documented case is the best way to prepare. An attorney can help you build your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence to present the strongest possible case.
The 58% approval rate for Sarah Cyrus is a summary of her past decisions since 2016 and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and your outcome will depend on the medical evidence and testimony provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
