Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. The 57% approval rate for Leah Farrell reflects her total decisions on record since 2016, which can be measured against the 20% to 73% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached their dockets.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Farrell. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
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 Leah Farrell shows a shift across the 260 decisions on record since 2016. In 2016, your approval rate was 49% over 246 decisions, followed by 75% over 107 decisions in 2017. This trend indicates a change in the proportion of favorable outcomes during the period covered by the data.
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 Newark hearing office
The Newark hearing office serves you and other claimants across New Jersey. With 17 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a formal hearing process where your medical documentation is the primary factor in the decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark
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 Newark, with approval rates ranging from 20% to 73% on their since-2016 records. Because you cannot choose your judge, focus on the strength of your own medical evidence.
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
Leah Farrell has an approval rate of 57% based on 260 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 20% to 73% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Newark. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the data shows a shift in outcomes over the recorded period. Her approval rate was 49% in 2016 and rose to 75% in 2017. An attorney can help you understand how these past trends might relate to the current evidence in 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 for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how a judge will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
