Approval rates
The 68% approval rate for Joseph M. Hillegas reflects all decisions on record since 2016. This is compared against the 42% to 78% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office. These figures represent historical patterns rather than predictions for your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Hillegas. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hillegas'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 469 decisions on record for Joseph M. Hillegas since 2016 show a 68% approval rate. This data window captures the judge's activity during 2016, providing a baseline for how your claim may be reviewed.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hillegas'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 Philadelphia hearing office
Joseph M. Hillegas's most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves claimants across Pennsylvania. With 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a diverse bench with varying approval patterns.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Philadelphia
The Social Security Administration assigns cases randomly. Among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office, approval rates vary from 42% to 78% on their since-2016 records. The core requirements for proving your disability remain consistent regardless of your assigned judge.
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
Joseph M. Hillegas has a 68% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 42% to 78% range of approval rates for the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is the Philadelphia hearing office. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare for a hearing before this judge.
The data for Joseph M. Hillegas covers the period from January 2016 through September 2016, during which the judge maintained a 68% approval rate. If you are concerned about how this history affects your claim, an attorney can help you evaluate your evidence.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney who is familiar with the Philadelphia hearing office can be beneficial for your preparation.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will answer questions about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Joseph M. Hillegas has a 68% approval rate on record since 2016, every case is unique and depends on the quality of medical evidence provided. An attorney can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your claim before you appear in court.
