Approval rates
When reviewing the data for John G. Farrell, it is helpful to compare the judge's performance against the broader bench at the Albany hearing office. While you see a 73% approval rate across 3,156 decisions since 2016, the office bench shows a range of 40% to 81% for the same period. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's 80% approval rate sits 19 points above the office average of 61%.
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 Farrell'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 approval rate for John G. Farrell has shown an upward trend since 2016. After starting at 62% in 2016, the rate climbed, reaching 85% in both 2022 and 2023. While the 2026 fiscal year-to-date rate of 80% shows a slight shift, it remains above the initial levels observed at the start of the record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Farrell'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 Albany hearing office
John G. Farrell's most recent office on record is the Albany hearing office. This office is staffed by 15 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 61%, you should focus on ensuring your medical evidence is comprehensive and clearly linked to your functional limitations.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albany
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the Albany hearing office, 8 of whom decided cases in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates among this bench vary significantly, ranging from 40% to 81% 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
John G. Farrell maintains a 73% approval rate on record since 2016, which sits within the 40% to 81% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Albany. In the latest reporting period, the judge's 80% approval rate is 19 points higher than the office average of 61%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for John G. Farrell has trended upward over time. Starting at 62% in 2016, the rate reached a high of 85% in 2022 and 2023 before settling at 80% in the most recent partial year of data. An attorney can help you assess how your case evidence aligns with these patterns.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process effectively random. Because you cannot predict your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case that addresses the common standards applied across the entire Albany bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews the evidence in your file. You will likely be asked questions about your work history, daily activities, and the specific limitations caused by your medical conditions. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical records are properly presented to the judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While John G. Farrell has approved 73% of cases since 2016, your individual result depends on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove disability under SSA rules. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and identify potential gaps in your evidence.
