Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data periods. While Julianne Hostovich maintains a 42% lifetime approval rate, her latest-period approval rate of 63% sits 14 points above the Pittsburgh office's latest-period average of 49%. These figures are derived from a significant volume of cases, providing a reliable look at recent trends. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Hostovich'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 record for Julianne Hostovich spans 2,965 lifetime decisions starting in 2017. Her yearly approval trend shows a period of decline followed by a consistent upward trajectory in recent years, with the latest period reflecting a continuation of this steady pattern. This shift suggests that recent case outcomes have trended higher than her long-term average. These patterns are useful for understanding the judge's history, though they do not guarantee future results.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hostovich'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 Pittsburgh hearing office
The Pittsburgh hearing office serves you if you are a claimant across Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. With a bench of 13 judges on record, the office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 49%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. For more information, see the Pittsburgh Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, 7 of whom reported in the SSA's latest period. The office-wide lifetime approval-rate range spans from 28% to 74%, highlighting the variance you may encounter. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Julianne Hostovich has a lifetime approval rate of 42% across 2,965 decisions. This sits within the broader office-wide lifetime range of 28% to 74%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of judges in this office.
Yes, the data shows a clear trend. After a period of lower approval rates between 2019 and 2022, the judge's approval rate has trended upward, reaching 59% in 2026. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you prepare.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why working with an attorney to prepare a strong case is essential regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions and procedures you will face.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions, not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.