Approval rates
John F. Gehring maintains a 68% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 45% to 82% range observed among the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. These figures are derived from 1,270 decisions.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gehring. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gehring'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 John F. Gehring shows 81% in 2016, 61% in 2017, 62% in 2018, and 65% in 2019. These fluctuations represent activity over the 1,270 decisions on record since 2016.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gehring'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 Elkins Park hearing office
John F. Gehring's most recent office on record is the Elkins Park hearing office. This office is home to 24 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can view the Elkins Park hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 82% on their since-2016 records.
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 F. Gehring has an approval rate of 68% on record since 2016. This falls within the 45% to 82% range of the 24 judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate shifted from 81% in 2016 to 61% in 2017, 62% in 2018, and 65% in 2019. A qualified 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 randomly. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may ask you questions about your daily limitations. Having an attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the judge's questions.
The 68% approval rate on record for John F. Gehring is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
