Approval rates
The approval rate for Craig DE Bernardis is based on 125 decisions on record since 2016. This figure is best understood by comparing it to the broader bench at the Elkins Park hearing office, where peers range from 45% to 82% in their approval rates over the same period. These statistics provide a view of past decisions rather than a prediction for your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge De Bernardis. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge De Bernardis'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 data for Craig DE Bernardis covers 125 decisions on record since 2016. During 2016, the judge maintained a 66% approval rate. Because this record is limited to a specific window in 2016, the pattern reflects a snapshot of activity during that time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge De Bernardis'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 Elkins Park hearing office
Craig DE Bernardis's most recent office on record is the Elkins Park hearing office, with activity recorded through September 2016. The bench at this location consists of 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can see the Elkins Park Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Elkins Park hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 82% 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
Craig DE Bernardis has an approval rate of 66% based on 125 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 45% to 82% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is the Elkins Park hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
The data for Craig DE Bernardis covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which the judge maintained a 66% approval rate across 125 decisions. Because the record is limited to this window, there is no data to track long-term shifts in the judge's decision-making. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for your specific hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Since you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence with the help of an attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and the severity of your impairments. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face during this process.
The 66% approval rate for Craig DE Bernardis represents a view of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the outcome depends primarily on the quality and consistency of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
