Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Robert Gonzalez has a lifetime approval rate of 68%, which sits within the 44% to 79% range seen across the Jersey City bench. In the most recent reporting period, his 64% approval rate is 1 percentage point below the office average of 65%. These figures are based on thousands of decisions, providing a stable view of past trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual 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 Gonzalez'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 record for Robert Gonzalez spans 4,253 decisions since 2016. His approval rate has shown a varied trend, moving from 46% in 2016 to a peak of 83% in 2024 before settling at 65% in the most recent period. This fluctuation is common and often relates to changes in the complexity of cases or the evidence presented. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, suggesting a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gonzalez'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Jersey City hearing office
The Jersey City hearing office serves you throughout the region. With 11 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 65%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Jersey City Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 11 judges on record at this office since 2016, 10 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary widely, ranging from 44% to 79% over their respective careers. 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
Robert Gonzalez has a lifetime approval rate of 68%, which falls within the 44% to 79% range of his peers at the Jersey City office. While his latest-period rate of 64% is slightly below the office average of 65%, these figures are just one part of your case. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Robert Gonzalez has shifted since 2016, showing a peak in 2024 before adjusting to 65% in the most recent period. These trends often reflect changes in the types of cases heard rather than a change in judicial philosophy. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on building a strong case with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be questioned about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence for the hearing.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's 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 before you appear before Robert Gonzalez.