Approval rates
This judge's 57% approval rate on record since 2016 is measured against the 41% to 73% range of the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office. In the latest reporting period, the judge approved 66% of cases, compared to the office-wide latest-period rate of 61%. These figures provide a statistical baseline for the 3,674 decisions on record.
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 Dziepak'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 Anthony Dziepak has fluctuated across the 3,674 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability between 2017 and 2019, the rate saw a decline in 2021 and 2023 before rising to 66% in the most recent partial fiscal year. This latest-period performance represents a shift compared to the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Dziepak'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 Lawrence MA hearing office
The Lawrence MA hearing office serves claimants throughout the region. With a bench of 7 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%. You can see the Lawrence MA hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Lawrence MA
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 73% 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
Judge Dziepak has a 57% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 41% to 73% range of the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Lawrence MA hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 3,674 decisions on record. While the rate was 55% in 2016, it reached 66% in the latest partial fiscal year of 2026. 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 assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your evidence.
