Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes to ensure accuracy. While the 50% approval rate provides a long-term view of the record, the latest-period approval rate of 61% offers insight into more recent activity. This latest-period figure sits 4 points above the Syracuse office average of 57%. These figures are based on a docket of 2,115 decisions on record.
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 Hoffman'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 Robyn L. Hoffman has fluctuated across the 2,115 decisions on record since November 2017. After a low point in 2019, the trend has shown variability, with the most recent data from 2026 showing an approval rate of 61%. This latest-period performance is higher than the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hoffman'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 Syracuse hearing office
The most recent office on record for Robyn L. Hoffman is the Syracuse hearing office, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 13 judges. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 57%, providing a baseline for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Syracuse
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Syracuse hearing office, there are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 7 of them having decided cases in the latest file. Approval rates across this bench range from 40% to 86% 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
The latest-period approval rate of 61% is 4 points higher than the Syracuse office average of 57%. Because case assignment is random, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over the 2,115 decisions on record since November 2017. While the long-term average is 50%, the most recent data shows a 61% approval rate. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the process random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. 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 probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your evidence before you appear before the judge.
