Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Elana Hollo's approval rate of 57% since 2016 provides a broad view of the record, while latest-period data allows for a direct comparison against the Elkins Park office average of 61%. With 3,409 decisions on record, the data offers a stable look at past outcomes.
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 Hollo'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, the approval rate for Elana Hollo has fluctuated. The most recent data from 2026 shows a 54% approval rate, which aligns with the state average. These 3,409 decisions on record demonstrate that while annual rates vary, the pattern remains consistent with broader regional trends.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hollo'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 Elkins Park hearing office
Elana Hollo's most recent office on record is the Elkins Park Hearing Office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the Pennsylvania region and maintains a bench of 24 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest reporting period was 61%. You can see the Elkins Park Hearing Office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 24 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates for this bench range from 45% to 82% 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
Elana Hollo has an approval rate of 57% since 2016, which sits within the 45% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Elkins Park. An attorney can help you understand how to prepare your evidence for this specific bench.
Yes, the approval rate has shifted over time, starting at 79% in 2017 and reaching 54% in the 2026 fiscal year-to-date data. An attorney can help you navigate these trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses an automated workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly. An attorney can help you prepare regardless of your assignment.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions Elana Hollo may ask.
The 57% approval rate on record since 2016 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you build a stronger case.
