Approval rates
The approval rate for Edward H. Hein is based on 1,024 decisions on record since January 2016. When compared to the broader bench at the New York Varick office, where judges range from 48% to 85% in their since-2016 records, this data offers context for your hearing. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hein. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hein'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 trend for Edward H. Hein shows a shift over the period from January 2016 to September 2019. Starting with an 82% approval rate in 2016, the figures moved to 81% in 2017, 78% in 2018, and 69% in 2019. With 1,024 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a downward trend toward the end of the observed window.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hein'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 Varick hearing office
Edward H. Hein's most recent office on record is the New York Varick hearing office. This office hosts a bench of 10 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence of your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is New York Varick
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. At the New York Varick office, there are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, from 48% to 85% on their since-2016 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
Edward H. Hein has a 78% approval rate on record since 2016. This places the judge within the range of 48% to 85% observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the New York Varick office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the approval rate for Edward H. Hein has shown a downward trend over the record window of January 2016 to September 2019. While the rate was 82% in 2016, it reached 69% by 2019 across a total of 1,024 decisions. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for this testimony and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
The 78% approval rate for Edward H. Hein on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of a specific outcome. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational documentation supporting your disability claim. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing.
