Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. The 60% approval rate for Tanya J. Garrian reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which sits within the 32% to 75% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Providence hearing office. These figures are based on 1,703 decisions on record, providing a view of past activity.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Garrian. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Garrian'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 Tanya J. Garrian has shown variation across the 1,703 decisions on record since 2016. After a period of relative stability between 2016 and 2018, the data indicates fluctuations in the following years, including a lower volume of decisions in more recent periods. This trend pattern suggests that the judge's decision-making has adapted to different case volumes over the last decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Garrian'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 Providence hearing office
Tanya J. Garrian's most recent office on record is the Providence hearing office, which serves you across Rhode Island. This office is home to 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the Providence Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Providence
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Providence hearing office, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 32% to 75%. Because each judge brings a unique approach to the bench, understanding the office-wide landscape is helpful for your preparation.
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
Tanya J. Garrian has an approval rate of 60% on record since 2016. This falls within the 32% to 75% range of the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Providence hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Tanya J. Garrian has fluctuated over the 1,703 decisions on record since 2016. While the rate was 63% in 2016, it has seen various shifts in subsequent years. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to prepare for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and functional limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific claim. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you build a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned.
