Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Paul Georger's 52% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 28% to 89% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office. In the most recent reporting period, Paul Georger approved 61% of cases, which is 8 percentage points higher than the office-wide average of 53%. These figures provide statistical context based on 3,129 decisions on record.
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 Georger'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 October 2016, Paul Georger's approval rate has fluctuated, moving from 45% in 2017 to a peak of 63% in 2022 before reaching 61% in the most recent period. With 3,129 total decisions on record, the data shows that approval patterns shift year-to-year, reflecting changes in case complexity or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Georger'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 Buffalo hearing office
Paul Georger's most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office. This office is home to 18 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 53%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Buffalo
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office, and 5 of them decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 89% since 2016.
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
Paul Georger's 52% approval rate since 2016 is situated within the 28% to 89% range of the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Buffalo hearing office. In the latest reporting period, his 61% approval rate was 8 percentage points higher than the office average of 53%. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Paul Georger has fluctuated over the years. It moved from 45% in 2017 to 63% in 2022, and currently stands at 61% for the latest partial period in 2026. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy based on these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency across hearing offices. Because assignment is random, you should be prepared to present a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare.
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 about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is clearly presented.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Paul Georger has approved 52% of cases since 2016, your individual result depends on the specific medical evidence and vocational factors in your file. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim.
