Approval rates
The approval rate for Richard Horowitz is based on 1,584 decisions on record since 2016. When evaluating this figure, compare it against the broader bench at the Toledo OH office, where judges range from 30% to 77% in their since-2016 approval rates. This variation highlights the importance of evidence quality in your specific case.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Horowitz. 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 Horowitz'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 Richard Horowitz has fluctuated since 2016. After an initial approval rate of 38% in 2016, the rate rose to 53% in 2017 before settling to 43% in 2018 and 42% in 2019. This pattern shows a period of higher approvals followed by a return to a more consistent level.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Horowitz'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 Toledo OH hearing office
The Toledo OH hearing office serves you and other claimants across the region. With 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office handles a diverse range of disability claims. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Toledo OH
The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Toledo OH office, and their approval rates on record since 2016 range from 30% to 77%.
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
Richard Horowitz has a 44% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the range of 30% to 77% observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is the Toledo OH office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Richard Horowitz has seen some variation, starting at 38% in 2016 and peaking at 53% in 2017 before stabilizing near 42% to 43% in 2018 and 2019. An attorney can help you evaluate how your evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, which ensures that assignments remain random. Because you cannot choose your judge, an attorney can help you prepare a robust case that addresses the common standards used by any ALJ.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history, daily limitations, and medical treatments. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your medical evidence is clearly presented.
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 primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well it meets SSA disability criteria. An attorney can help you identify and fill any gaps in your medical documentation.
