Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 56% rate since 2016 provides a long-term view, recent performance is measured against the latest reporting period. In the most recent period, Sarah Ehasz approved 57% of cases, which is 8 percentage points higher than the office average of 49%. These figures are based on a significant volume of decisions. 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 Ehasz'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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Sarah Ehasz has shown a varied trend across 3,465 decisions on record. After fluctuation in the middle years, the rate reached 63% in 2024 before settling to 57% in the most recent partial year. This recent performance remains consistent with the long-term average. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, suggesting that the approach to evidence and case requirements has remained stable.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ehasz'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 Pittsburgh hearing office
Sarah Ehasz's most recent office on record is the Pittsburgh hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves the surrounding region in Pennsylvania and maintains a bench of 13 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 49%, providing a local benchmark for comparison.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Pittsburgh
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench range from 28% to 74% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
In the latest reporting period, Sarah Ehasz approved 57% of cases, which is 8 percentage points higher than the 49% average for the Pittsburgh office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Sarah Ehasz has maintained a 56% approval rate across 3,465 decisions since 2016. While yearly rates have fluctuated, the most recent data shows a return to levels consistent with the long-term average. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records for the hearing.
Approval rates are historical data points and do not predict the outcome of any individual hearing. Your specific medical evidence and how it aligns with SSA regulations are the most important factors in your case. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence to build the strongest possible argument.
