Approval rates
The approval rates for Therese A. Hardiman are calculated based on 2,976 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing these figures, consider the bench's since-2016 range of 27% to 57% for judges whose most recent office on record is the Wilkes Barre hearing office. Latest-period data also shows how the judge compares to the broader office, state, and national averages.
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 Hardiman'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
Since 2016, Therese A. Hardiman has maintained a consistent volume of decisions, with an approval rate that has fluctuated over the years. The data shows a trend that moved from 39% in 2016 to 60% in the latest period. This latest-period performance is 15 percentage points higher than the office-wide average of 45%. These patterns reflect the judge's approach to the evidence presented in each case.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hardiman'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 Wilkes Barre hearing office
The Wilkes Barre hearing office is the most recent office on record for Therese A. Hardiman, with activity recorded through July 2026. This office serves claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 13 judges. With an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 45%, you should focus on building a robust medical record to support your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Wilkes Barre
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Wilkes Barre hearing office, and 11 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this bench range from 27% to 57% on their records since 2016.
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
Therese A. Hardiman has an approval rate of 51% on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 27% to 57% seen among the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Wilkes Barre hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
The approval rate for Therese A. Hardiman has varied over the years, starting at 39% in 2016 and reaching 60% in the latest reporting period. These shifts often reflect changes in the types of cases heard or the quality of evidence provided. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on preparing a strong case regardless of who is assigned. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or vocational experts. The goal is to determine if your condition meets the criteria for disability benefits. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions the judge may ask.
The 51% approval rate for Therese A. Hardiman on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you evaluate your case and prepare for your hearing.
