Approval rates
Linda S. Halperin's 79% approval rate on record since 2016 reflects her history within the Evanston office's bench, which ranges from 45% to 79% for judges with similar records. These figures rely on 605 decisions to provide a statistical picture. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Halperin. 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 Halperin'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 Linda S. Halperin showed variation across the 605 decisions on record since 2016. The data indicates an approval rate of 78% in 2016, 84% in 2017, and 65% in 2018. This trend highlights how approval patterns fluctuate year over year based on the evidence presented in each case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Halperin'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 Evanston hearing office
The Evanston hearing office is the most recent office on record for Linda S. Halperin, as of September 2018. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a formal hearing process where the quality of medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston
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 whose most recent office on record is the Evanston office, with approval rates ranging from 45% to 79% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating evidence, understanding the broader office bench is helpful.
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
Linda S. Halperin's 79% approval rate on record since 2016 is at the higher end of the 45% to 79% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is Evanston. While this rate is higher than many peers, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a shift in approval patterns over time. Linda S. Halperin approved 78% of cases in 2016 and 84% in 2017, followed by a 65% approval rate in 2018. These fluctuations are common and often depend on the specific mix of cases and evidence presented. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your own disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome by working with an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and present your case clearly to the judge.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how your specific case will be decided. While Linda S. Halperin's 79% rate on record since 2016 is a useful data point, the strength of your medical evidence remains the most critical factor. An attorney can help you evaluate your evidence and prepare for your hearing.
