Approval rates
The approval rate for a judge is a probability cloud derived from their historical record, providing context for what to expect at your hearing. At the Buffalo office, the lifetime approval rates among the bench vary significantly, ranging from 28% to 89%. These figures are based on 630 lifetime decisions on record since 2016. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Glazer. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Glazer'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
Eric L. Glazer's record shows a consistent pattern of approvals across the 630 decisions documented since 2016. The yearly trend indicates a peak in 2017 with a 71% approval rate, following a 65% rate in 2016, before adjusting to 58% in 2018. This fluctuation reflects the inherent variability in disability case evidence and the specific requirements of each claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Glazer'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
The Buffalo hearing office serves claimants throughout the region, operating as a critical hub for disability adjudications in New York. The office maintains a bench of 18 judges on record since 2016, ensuring a diverse range of judicial perspectives. You can expect a formal process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. See the Buffalo Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 18 judges on record at this office since 2016. Because approval rates across the office bench range from 28% to 89%, understanding the broader office environment is useful. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Eric L. Glazer has a lifetime approval rate of 67% across 630 decisions. This places him within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 28% to 89%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific judge.
Yes, the data shows a trend starting at 65% in 2016, rising to 71% in 2017, and settling at 58% in 2018. These shifts are common as case mixes and evidentiary standards evolve. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot control the assignment, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for this judge's specific bench.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the 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. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will face.
A judge's lifetime approval rate of 67% is a reflection of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. 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 file is as strong as possible before you appear.