Approval rates
Judge Carol A. Eckersen maintains a lifetime approval rate of 59%, which matches the 59% state average and sits 1 point above the national average of 58%. While the Sacramento Hearing Office currently reports a latest approval rate of 65%, these figures are based on a large volume of cases handled over her 9 years on the bench. 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 Eckersen'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
Over her tenure, your judge has shown an upward trend in approval rates. Starting at 48% in 2016, her annual approval rate reached 70% in 2023 and 68% in 2024. These patterns reflect the evolving nature of case evidence and legal standards, providing a baseline for what to expect during your hearing.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Eckersen'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.
Hearing with Judge Eckersen? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Sacramento hearing office
The Sacramento Hearing Office serves a diverse population across California, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an active docket that requires consistent adherence to 20 CFR Part 404 regulations. You can expect a professional environment focused on the thorough review of your medical records and vocational testimony.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot request a specific judge. At the Sacramento Hearing Office, the bench of 6 judges ranges from 57% to 75% in lifetime approval rates. Because your assignment is random, your focus should remain on the strength of your medical evidence.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.