Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the full scope of their record. Joseph R. Faraguna has issued 1,882 decisions, providing a substantial data set to observe his decision-making patterns. This lifetime rate of 81% is compared against the broader performance of the Long Island bench, where lifetime approval rates range from 48% to 83%. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Faraguna. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Faraguna'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
The record for Joseph R. Faraguna spans from 2016 to 2020, showing a generally steady approval trend throughout his time on the bench. While the approval rate remained consistent near 80% for the first four years of the data window, the final period saw a shift to 72% over a smaller volume of cases. This variation is common in judicial dockets and may reflect changes in the specific types of cases or the quality of evidence presented. The data provides a clear look at his historical approach to disability claims.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Faraguna'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Long Island hearing office
The Long Island hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for disability adjudications in New York. The office bench consists of 12 judges on record, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 71%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the focus remains on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your claim. You can see the Long Island Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 12 judges on record at the Long Island office since 2016, 7 of whom are reported in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 48% to 83% over their respective lifetime 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
Joseph R. Faraguna's 81% lifetime approval rate is on the higher end of the spectrum for the Long Island office, where lifetime rates among the 12 judges on record range from 48% to 83%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
His approval rate remained steady between 80% and 83% from 2016 through 2019. In 2020, the rate shifted to 72% based on 161 decisions. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your case.
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 proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your evidence.
A judge's historical approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational documentation you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.