Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. The most relevant comparison for your hearing is the performance of the bench at the Orland Park office. Judges at this location show a wide range of approval outcomes, from 25% to 69% since 2016. 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 Ferrer. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2024. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Ferrer'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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Victoria A. Ferrer has shown a varied trend across 2,667 total decisions on record. After an initial period of fluctuation, the rate moved through several cycles, including a 45% approval rate in 2023 followed by a 55% rate in 2024. This pattern suggests that your decision outcome depends on the specific evidence presented in your case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Ferrer'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 Orland Park hearing office
Victoria A. Ferrer's most recent office on record is the Orland Park hearing office, which serves the Illinois region. This office is part of a broader network of hearing locations where 9 judges have their most recent record. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your disability. You can see the Orland Park Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orland Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assigned judge is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orland Park office. Because approval rates across this bench vary from 25% to 69%, your assigned judge is a factor in the hearing process. For preparation purposes, the guidance remains consistent 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
Victoria A. Ferrer has a 50% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 25% to 69% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orland Park office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Victoria A. Ferrer has fluctuated over time, with 2,667 decisions on record since 2016. The rate reached 55% in 2024, following a period of 45% in 2023. These shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence provided. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney to build a strong case is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
The 50% approval rate for Victoria A. Ferrer is a summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific case. Every claim is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
