Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 54% approval rate covers all 3,168 decisions on record since 2016, recent performance shows a 60% approval rate during the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 11 percentage points above the Albuquerque office average of 49%. These statistics provide a baseline for understanding the docket, though 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 Fellabaum'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 trend for Jennifer M. Fellabaum has varied over time. Since 2016, the judge has maintained a consistent volume of decisions, reaching a 68% approval rate in 2025 before settling at 60% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent performance reflects a shift from the mid-range rates observed in previous years. Such fluctuations often stem from changes in case complexity or the specific medical evidence presented in a given year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Fellabaum'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 Albuquerque hearing office
The Albuquerque hearing office is the most recent office on record for Jennifer M. Fellabaum as of July 2026. This office operates with a bench of 14 judges who manage a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a standard hearing process where the focus remains on the medical evidence and vocational testimony provided.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque. Approval rates among this bench range from 41% to 89% on their since-2016 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
Jennifer M. Fellabaum's 54% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 41% to 89% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque. Because cases are assigned randomly, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Jennifer M. Fellabaum has fluctuated over the years, ranging from 48% in 2018 to a high of 68% in 2025. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 60% approval rate, which remains above the office-wide latest-period average. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of who is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform past work or other jobs. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
