Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While the office bench shows a wide range of outcomes from 36% to 81% on their records since 2016, these figures reflect the diverse ways individual judges evaluate evidence. With 648 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of past trends. 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 Hecht. 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 Hecht'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 Mark Hecht showed notable movement across the 648 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 57% in 2016, the figures rose to 78% in 2017 before settling at 69% in 2018. This trend demonstrates that while your judge's overall rate is 65%, the yearly outcomes fluctuated. These shifts often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of medical evidence presented during those specific periods.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hecht'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 maintains a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical documentation is the primary factor in your decision. The office-wide latest approval rate is 58%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York
SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and their approval rates vary from 36% to 81% on their records since 2016. 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
Mark Hecht has an approval rate of 65% based on 648 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 36% to 81% seen among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Mark Hecht has fluctuated, moving from 57% in 2016 to 78% in 2017 and 69% in 2018. These variations are common and often depend on the specific evidence provided in each case. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure fairness. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends on your medical evidence and how well you meet SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you build a strong case to present to the judge.
