Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. The judge's overall approval rate of 58% since 2016 provides a baseline, which can be compared against the 39% to 80% range observed among the bench at the Sacramento office. In the latest reporting period, the judge's 56% approval rate sits 12 points below the office average of 68%. These figures are derived from a large docket, providing statistical context for your 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 rate for Sara A. Gillis has shown fluctuations since 2016. After a period of growth peaking in 2024 at 69%, the rate shifted to 54% in 2025 and is 57% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. With 4,273 total decisions on record, this pattern highlights how yearly shifts in case volume and evidence quality can influence outcomes. The latest period reflects a continuation of this recent trend, diverging from the higher approval rates seen in the mid-2020s.
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 and other claimants throughout California and the surrounding region. This office features a bench of 20 judges, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 68%. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in the judge's decision. You can visit the Sacramento hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the Sacramento hearing office, 6 of whom decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 39% to 80% since 2016. Preparation strategies remain consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
Sara A. Gillis has an approval rate of 58% since 2016. This sits within the broader range of 39% to 80% seen among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is Sacramento. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years. It reached a high of 69% in 2024 before shifting to 57% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific case requirements.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for a hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and physical limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions and evidence presentation expected at your hearing.
