Approval rates
The approval rate for James J. D'Alessandro is based on 472 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the 26% to 86% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office. These data points reflect historical patterns rather than current office-wide benchmarks.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge D'Alessandro. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge D'Alessandro'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 James J. D'Alessandro showed a slight shift between 2016 and 2017. In 2016, the judge recorded a 76% approval rate across 470 decisions, followed by a 72% rate across 131 decisions in 2017. This trend indicates a steady pattern of decision-making over the recorded timeframe.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge D'Alessandro'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 Manchester hearing office
The Manchester hearing office serves you and other claimants across New Hampshire and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in September 2017, this office hosted a bench of 11 judges. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Manchester Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Manchester
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 Manchester hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 26% to 86% on their since-2016 records. Six of these judges decided cases in the most recent SSA file from July 2026.
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
James J. D'Alessandro has a 75% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 26% to 86% range established by the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Manchester hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for James J. D'Alessandro was 76% in 2016 and 72% in 2017. This indicates a steady pattern of decision-making during the period of 472 total decisions on record. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process effectively random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from vocational or medical experts. Having legal representation ensures your evidence is presented clearly. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will face during this process.
The 75% approval rate for James J. D'Alessandro is a historical statistic, not a guarantee of a specific outcome for your case. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you strengthen your case before your hearing date.
