Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While Seth I. Grossman has a 41% lifetime approval rate, his latest-period approval rate of 48% sits 10 percentage points below the current 58% average for the New York hearing office. These figures are derived from a substantial volume of cases, providing a reliable statistical baseline.
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 Grossman'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
Seth I. Grossman has issued 2,755 decisions since 2016, showing a varied trend over the last decade. After starting with approval rates in the 30% range, the data shows an increase in recent years, with the 2026 rate reaching 48%. This shift suggests that the recent decision-making pattern has moved upward from the historical average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Grossman'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 New York hearing office
The New York hearing office serves you throughout the region, maintaining a bench of 15 judges on record. The office currently reports a 58% latest-period approval rate. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges on record at this office since 2016, 5 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 36% to 81% on their lifetime 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
Seth I. Grossman's latest-period approval rate of 48% is 10 percentage points lower than the New York office average of 58%. Because case assignment is random, working with an attorney who understands the local bench can help you prepare your case effectively.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns over the last decade. While the lifetime approval rate is 41% across 2,755 decisions, recent annual rates have fluctuated, reaching 48% in 2026. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a 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 tasks. An attorney can help you prepare for the types of questions you are likely to face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. The 41% lifetime rate is one factor, but the strength of your medical documentation is the most important element of your claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.