Approval rates
The approval rate for Yasmin Elias is calculated based on 2,463 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically handled disability claims compared to the broader bench at the Phoenix North office, where since-2016 approval rates range from 28% to 72%. Latest-period data shows a 59% approval rate for this judge, which sits 1 percentage point below the office-wide latest-period average of 60%.
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 Elias'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, Yasmin Elias has maintained a varied approval trend. After a peak in 2018 at 69%, the rate fluctuated, reaching a high of 82% in 2023 before adjusting to 58% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This pattern shows that while the judge's long-term average is 63%, recent outcomes have shifted closer to the national average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Elias'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 Phoenix North hearing office
The Phoenix North hearing office serves claimants across Arizona. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 60%. You can see the Phoenix North Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Phoenix North
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Phoenix North office, and 5 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 72% on their records since 2016.
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
Yasmin Elias has an approval rate of 63% since 2016, which sits within the 28% to 72% range observed among the 12 judges whose most recent office on record is the Phoenix North office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Yasmin Elias has fluctuated over time, moving from 63% in 2016 to 58% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, meaning your assignment is essentially random.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial 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-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 63% approval rate for Yasmin Elias since 2016 represents a historical pattern of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in the outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare effectively for your hearing.
