Approval rates
Judge Erickson maintains a lifetime approval rate of 66%, which outperforms the San Francisco Hearing Office latest average of 45%. When compared to state and national benchmarks, his approval frequency remains higher. These figures are derived from a docket of 15,492 lifetime decisions accumulated over eight years. These aggregate rates describe past trends rather than individual outcomes.
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 Erickson'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 his eight-year tenure, Judge Erickson has maintained a steady approval pattern. While his annual rates have fluctuated—peaking at 73% in 2020 and settling at 61% in 2023—his long-term performance remains robust. This consistency suggests a stable approach to evaluating medical evidence and vocational testimony. The recent data reflects a continuation of this established pattern, providing a reliable baseline for understanding his judicial history.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Erickson'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 Erickson? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the San Francisco hearing office
The San Francisco Hearing Office serves a diverse population across Northern California, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office handles complex cases requiring meticulous documentation. You can visit the San Francisco Hearing Office page to view the full ALJ roster and office-specific resources.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. Across the San Francisco Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench vary significantly, ranging from 38% to 66%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective strategy for your hearing.
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.