Approval rates
The approval rate for Stephen Gontis is based on 1,537 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the 41% to 89% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque. Because cases are assigned through a random workload-balancing algorithm, understanding this range helps you contextualize the hearing process.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Gontis. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gontis'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 Stephen Gontis has fluctuated since 2016. After an approval rate of 64% in 2017, the rate shifted to 43% in 2018 and 2019, then held at 49% through 2021. Following a lower volume of decisions in 2022, the most recent data from 2025 shows an approval rate of 62%.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gontis'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 Albuquerque hearing office
The Albuquerque hearing office serves you across New Mexico. This office maintains a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard administrative hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your judge assignment is random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque, with approval rates ranging from 41% to 89% 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
Stephen Gontis has a 49% approval rate on record since 2016. This falls within the 41% to 89% range of the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Albuquerque. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Stephen Gontis has varied over time, starting at 64% in 2017 and reaching 62% in 2025. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific evidence and case mix presented. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
The 49% approval rate for Stephen Gontis represents a historical pattern of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational documentation you provide. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to strengthen your claim.
