Approval rates
Comparing judicial approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe. While the since-2016 record provides a long-term view of decision patterns, the latest-period figures offer a snapshot of current trends relative to the Orlando Hearing Office, state, and national averages. With 3,137 decisions on record, the data provides a look at how this bench operates. These 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 Ellis'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 January 2016, the approval rate for Deborah E. Ellis has shown variation across 3,137 decisions on record. The yearly trend indicates a period of relative stability followed by a decline in recent years, with the latest reporting period showing a 100% approval rate based on a single decision. This recent figure is a partial data point and should be viewed in the context of the longer-term trend.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ellis'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 Orlando hearing office
Deborah E. Ellis's most recent office on record is the Orlando Hearing Office. This office maintains a bench of 17 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 60%, you can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orlando
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando Hearing Office, and 8 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates for this bench range from 34% to 89% 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
Deborah E. Ellis has an approval rate of 34% on record since 2016. This sits within the 34% to 89% range observed among the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orlando Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Deborah E. Ellis has fluctuated over the years, starting at 39% in 2016 and reaching 22% in 2024. These shifts reflect changes in case mix and evidence quality over time. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might impact your specific claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong, evidence-based case with professional legal support. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific requirements of this bench.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records 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 for these questions and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Deborah E. Ellis will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and your ability to prove you meet SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you identify and fill gaps in your evidence to improve your chances.
