Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. While Gillis holds a 58% lifetime approval rate, the latest reporting period shows a 56% approval rate, which is 12 percentage points below the current 68% office-wide average. These figures are based on 4,273 lifetime decisions. These rates reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your upcoming 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 Gillis'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 record for Gillis has fluctuated since 2016. While the rate reached 69% in 2024, the most recent data shows a rate of 57% in 2026. This pattern reflects the judge's response to the specific evidence presented in each case. The latest period shows a continuation of this steady pattern within the broader context of the Sacramento office.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gillis'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 Sacramento hearing office
The Sacramento hearing office serves you throughout the region, operating as a hub for SSDI hearings in California. With 20 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 68%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence supporting your claim. You can visit the Sacramento hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 20 judges on record at this office since 2016, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 39% to 80%. Because every judge interprets evidence differently, 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
Gillis has a lifetime approval rate of 58% across 4,273 decisions. This sits within the broader office range of 39% to 80% for the 20 judges on record at the Sacramento office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Gillis has varied since 2016, reflecting different case mixes and evidence standards. While the rate was 69% in 2024, it adjusted to 57% in the most recent 2026 reporting period. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific claim.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears your 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 organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.